Mangifera indica (cv. East Indian) is a premium mango in the Tropics attracting high market value. The fruits are normally harvested prior to attaining full maturity and allowed to ripen post harvest. This study was undertaken to evaluate the biochemical properties of tree ripened versus post harvest ripened mangoes.

The total soluble solids, reducing sugar, pH, percent acidity, phenolic content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the mangoes were investigated. No significant difference was found in the total soluble solids content of tree ripened (21.93 ± 2.05) and post harvest ripened mangoes (21.35 ± 1.86).

There were however significant differences in the total reducing sugar (tree ripened, 4.50 ± 0.68 and postharvest ripened, 7.94 ± 0.8), titratable acidity (tree ripened,0.15 ± 0.04 and postharvest ripened, 0.19 ± 0.03), pH (tree ripened, 5.47 ± 0.27 and postharvest ripened, 5.25 ± 0.12), total phenolics (tree ripened, 42.43 ± 5.73 mgGAE/100g and postharvest ripened, 32.81 ± 5.64 mgGAE/100g) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (tree ripened, 49.34 ± 5.94 100mg/ml and postharvest ripened, 38.84 ± 6.50 100mg/ml) of the mangoes.

These differences may have an impact on the organoleptic and functional properties of the mangoes