....the mandarin along with its hybrids make up the largest group in the genus Citrus...the fruit from the Citrus reticulata tree, mandarines or tangerines, usually do not stay good for a long time.  They can be kept up to two weeks before the decaying process begins if they are commercially washed and waxed.

...the biggest mandarin exporters are Spain, China, Morocco, Turkey, and South Africa.

...uses of the mandarin fruit include:
    The fruit.  Fruit is sometimes eaten just as is, in fruit salads, or even the small ones are canned in syrup.
    The oil.  The oil from the peel of the fruit flavors various hard candies, ice cream, chewing gum, gelatin, bakery goods, carbonated beverages, perfumes, colognes, floral compounds and liquers.     

... the Food Value Per 100 g of Edible Portion

  Moisture           Protein                     Fat                Fiber

82.6-90.2 g       0.61-0.215 g          0.05-0.32 g        0.3-0.7 g

    Ash                Calcium              Phosphorus          Iron

0.29-0.54 g      25.0-46.8 mg         11.7-23.4 mg    0.17-0.62 mg

Carotene            Thiamine             Riboflavin            Niacin

0.013-0.175 mg 0.048-0.128 mg    0.014-0.041 mg   0.199-0.38 mg

   Niacin           Ascorbic Acid

0.199-0.38 mg    13.3-54.4 mg

...to prolong storage life, pads are used impregnated with the chemical fungistat diphenyl.  The fruit partially absorbs the chemical to prevent some decaying.

...wax coating extends the storage life of the mandarin fruit to about 14 days.

...perforated polyethylene bags in room temperature allow the mandarin fruit to keep for 21 days.  They will remain good for 31 days if kept at 41ºF or 5ºC. 

...Citrus reticulata has several great natural chemicals, including minerals, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and flavonoids.

...limonene is the chemical component in the oil of the peel that gives the aroma.

...the chemical compounds in the peel, including linalool and caryophyllene oxide have antifungal and antibacterial activity.

...studies have shown that due to the components of the oil, the peel could be used as an alternative to synthetic fungicides or preservatives.