Metabolism of organic acids in modified atmosphere stored ripening mangoes (Mangifera indica)

-1-4C succinate, aspartate, citrate, acetate and malate were used to study the ripening behaviour of mangoes kept in a CO2 atmosphere. Of the organic acids studied, citrate metabolism was totally affected, as 98% of the label remained in the organic acid fraction and less than 2% was incorporated into CO2 compared to incorporation of 36% of the -1-4C citrate into CO2 in normally ripened fruits. Succinate and malate metabolism were slowed in fruits kept under modified atmosphere (MA) for 7 days, but accelerated when the fruits were transferred to ambient conditions for ripening. -1-4C aspartate distribution in various fractions showed some deviation from the control fruits especially at the ripe stage. Acetate utilization was not disturbed in the experimental fruits as could be seen by its distribution pattern in CO2, amino acids, organic acids, and sugars. In general, except for citrate utilization, the metabolism of fruits stored for 5 days in MA did not deviate much from the control fruits unlike the fruits stored for 7 and 13 days under MA.