title: Metabolite profiling of the ripening of MangoesMangifera indicaL. cv. 'Tommy Atkins' by real-time measurement of volatile organic compounds.
abstract: Real-time profiling of mango ripening based on proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) of small molecular weight volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is demonstrated using headspace measurements of 'Tommy Atkins' mangoes. VOC metabolites produced during the ripening process were sampled directly, which enabled simultaneous and rapid detection of a wide range of compounds. Headspace measurements of 'Keitt' mangoes were also conducted for comparison. A principle component analysis of the results indicated that several mass channels were not only key to the ripening process but could also be used to distinguish between mango cultivars. The identities of 22 of these channels, tentatively speciated using contemporaneous GC-MS measurements of sorbent tubes, are rationalized through examination of the biochemical pathways that produce volatile flavour components. Results are discussed with relevance to the potential of headspace analysers and electronic noses in future fruit ripening and quality studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH UK.
authors.forename: Iain R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH UK.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.affiliation: Flavometrix Ltd., Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH UK.
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Monks
keywords: Mangifera indica; Mango; PTR–ToF–MS; Ripening; Tommy Atkins; VOCs