Mango FAQ

Q: How do I avoid sapburn?

A: Sapburn occurs when the sap that first squirts from the fruit at destemming comes in contact with the fruit skin. It is worst in Kensington Pride. Use harvesting and handling techniques that minimise sap coming in contact with mango skin.

Q: Which sapburn protectant should I use?

A: The choice of protectant chemical depends on the harvest and desapping system being used.

    Picking with stems and desapping in the packing shed
    The fruit is covered with detergent before the stalk is removed to prevent sap directly contacting the skin. As the fruit are placed on the packing line water sprays remove the detergent and any sap residue. The best choice in this situation are detergents such as Cold Power® or LOC or wetting agents such as Agral®. The mixing rate is 1 mL or 1 g per litre of water. Staff who desap fruit must keep their hands clean of sap as a lot of sapburn has been attributed to ´sappy fingers´.
    Harvest aids or desapping into a detergent solution.
    These handling systems leave sap residues on the fruit and a neutralising additive such as Mango Wash® or hydrated lime is the most effective chemical for the wash solution. Mango Wash® is a neutraliser and detergent mixture and needs no additives. When hydrated lime is used, it is mixed with a detergent such as Agral®. The mixing rate is 10 g of hydrated lime with 1 mL of Agral® per litre of water.

Q: How should I harvest my mangoes?

A: There are two major harvesting and handling systems that minimise sapburn and skin browning. Both are effective when used correctly:

    Pick mangoes with stems attached and desap (take the stems off) them in the packing shed
    Use harvest aids and desap mangoes in the field.