Quality Of Banana Research Articles

EFFECTS OF UV-C RADIATION IN DELAYING RIPENING OF BERANGAN BANANA (Musa sp. AAA Berangan)

Banana has a short storage life and is classified under climacteric fruit that produces enough ethylene in changing physico-chemical characteristics, including colour, texture, aroma, chemical composition, respiration rate and senescence. Besides that, the presence of microbes also contributes to the postharvest losses which can be reduced by implementing various postharvest management practices that are currently in practice all over the world. Research has been done in delaying ripening and maintaining the quality of banana such as hot water treatment, controlled atmosphere storage, modified atmosphere packaging and postharvest chemical treatments such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid or oxalic acid. However, not many focus on non-chemical method such as UV-C radiation. In line with that, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of UV-C radiation in delaying ripening and maintaining the postharvest quality of Berangan banana. Five treatments of UV-C radiation were used viz. 0.000 kJ/m², 0.004 kJ/m², 0.008 kJ/m², 0.012 kJ/m² and 0.016 kJ/m² with three replications. Postharvest parameters evaluated were percentage of weight loss (%), skin colour, starch pattern index (SPI), fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA) and total phenolic content (TPC). The application of UV-C radiation did not significantly affect all postharvest parameters of treated Berangan bananas. However, UV-C radiation at 0.008 kJ/m2 tended to show the lower percentage weight loss and SPI score. In conclusion, 0.008 kJ/m² of UV-C radiation could be applied to delay ripening and maintaining other quality attributes of Berangan bananas. In addition, 0.008 kJ/m² UV-C also able to prolong the shelf life of Berangan bananas stored at 26±2°C/75% relative humidity up to nine days.

Effectiveness Test of Trichoderma harzianum on The Development of Anthracnose Disease (Colletotrichum musae) of Ambon Banana

The decrease in the quality of bananas can be caused by the attack of the pathogen Colletotrichum musae which causes anthracnose disease. The use of the antagonist fungus Trichoderma harzianum can be relied upon to control this disease. This study aimed to obtain a more effective level of T. harzianum spore density to suppress the development of anthracnose disease in Ambon bananas. The treatment tested was T. harzianum with five levels of spore density, namely 105, 106, 107,108, and 109 spore/mL, designed using a completely randomized design with five replications. The variables observed were the incubation period and the intensity of the disease. The results showed that the spore density of 109 was effective in suppressing the development of anthracnose disease by inhibiting the incubation period to 3.85 days and suppressing the intensity of the disease to 41.4%.Keywords: Banana, Trichoderma harzianum, Anthracnose, Colletotrichum musae

Arachidonic acid treatment combined with low temperature conditioning mitigates chilling injury in cold‐stored banana fruit

SummaryCold‐stored banana fruit is particularly susceptible to chilling injury (CI). Over transportation and storage, CI is a key physiological factor affecting postharvest banana quality. Arachidonic acid (ARA) is considered a signal molecule that elicits stress signalling networks in plants. However, whether exogenous ARA treatment can reduce CI in postharvest fruit remains unknown. This study investigated the effects of a combination of exogenous ARA treatment and low temperature conditioning (LTC) on mitigating CI occurrence. ARA + LTC treatment decreased electrolyte leakage, accumulation of malondialdehyde, H2O2 content, weight loss and occurrence of CI symptoms. This treatment also delayed fruit softening and colour development, and maintained both vitamin C and chlorophyll contents in bananas stored at 0 °C for 36 days. In addition, ARA + LTC treatment significantly increased the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Concluding, ARA + LTC treatment has the potential to reduce CI in banana fruit during cold storage. This makes it an effective postharvest technique for fruits and vegetables susceptible to CI.

Growth, yield and fruit quality of specialty banana in response to yeast extract and potassium amendments

Nutrient and bio-stimulant amendments are important for growth, yield, and quality of fruit crops under environmentally stressed site conditions. Our field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of potassium fertilization and yeast extract on growth, yield and finger quality of banana grown under arid and semi-arid marginal site conditions in Egypt. Using different levels of Potassium at 500 & 1000 mg as a foliar application and yeast extract at one & two liters per plant as a drench soil application and their combinations doses added monthly six times during the period from October to March. The obtained results showed a positive correlation between the values of the studied parameters (growth, productivity and fruit quality) and the yeast and potassium levels. As a result, the parameters values increased as the yeast and the K2SO4 levels increased to a higher level during the two growing seasons. Herein, yeast extract 2000 ml + K2SO4 1000 mg/l/plant was statistically the superior. In addition, yeast extract 2000 liters + K2SO4 500 mg/l/plant statistically ranked 2nd after the above-mentioned superior treatment. On the contrary, the lowest values of these parameters were obtained by Control yeast extract 1 liter/plant. The remaining treatments have occupied an intermediate position between the treatments mentioned above in both seasons.

Standardization of surface sterilization protocols for culture establishment in banana cv. Karpurachakkarakeli(AAB) male flower budsin vitro

Plant tissue culture is a proven technique for producing banana seeds in large quantities, uniformly and in a short time to support good quality banana seeds. The banana flower meristem can be a potential explant. The banana flower meristem offers the opportunity to regenerate plants with agronomic characteristics. This study aimed to regenerate banana flowers in vitro with different sucrose and BA (Benzyladenine) concentrations after standardized surface sterilization protocols. The study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), two factorial designwith surface sterilents and gelling agents. The results showed that the treatmentT15 (Sodium hypochlorite (1%) + HgCl2 (0.1%)) in G1 (0.25% gelrite) recorded the lowest fungal and bacterial contamination (0.00, 0.00) & (0.73, 0.53) respectively, in in vitro cultures of male flower buds of banana cultivar KarpuraChakkarakeli (AAB). While, the combination of BA (4 mgL-1) and sucrose (30 mgL-1) concentration had directly induced organogenesis in banana male flower explants.

Productivity and quality of banana in response to chemical fertilizer reduction with bio-organic fertilizer: Insight into soil properties and microbial ecology

Understanding the responses of ecosystem functions and services (e.g., fruit productivity, carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling) to fertilization practices and exploring the underpinning mechanisms are essential to achieve sustainable development in the banana industry. Here, a field plot experiment was conducted to explore the effects of partially substituting chemical fertilizers with different application rates of bio-organic fertilizer (BIO) and organic fertilizer (OF) in banana (Musa acuminata L. cv. ‘Baodao’) production. Accordingly, 7.65 t ha–1 of BIO and OF was used for a field demonstration experiment to verify prior experimental results and explore the shifts in soil microbial ecology. The results showed that the greatest banana productivity was achieved at 81.6 t ha–1 following BIO application. The reducing sugar contents, vitamin C contents, and sugar-to-acidity ratios of banana fruit following BIO application were higher than those of the control with chemical fertilizers alone, and a similar trend was observed for soil pH values, organic matter contents, available nutrients contents, and cation exchange capacity. BIO was superior to OF in improving soil microbial biomass, but their effects on the number of cultivable microbial populations were opposite. The application of BIO increased Chloroflexi and Basidiomycota abundances, while decreasing Acidobacteria and Ascomycota abundances. Acidothermus, Bradyrhizobium, Bryobacter, Mortierella, and Moesziomyces were enriched following BIO application. Linear discriminant analysis effect size identified 20 differentially abundant taxa between treatments. Variation partitioning analysis revealed that soil properties, fertilizer type, and their interaction accounted for 93.0% of the variation in banana productivity and quality. Banana productivity and quality as well as the majority of soil properties varied significantly with fertilizer application rate. Bacterial functional genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites were upregulated by BIO application. Overall, appropriate application of BIO combined with chemical fertilizers improved soil properties and reshaped bacterial and fungal ecology, thus improving banana productivity and quality. Our results indicated that partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with BIO is a promising fertilization practice for banana production in acid soil ecosystems.

Characterisation and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus tamarii Causing Banana Fruit Rot.

Banana fruit rot is a common postharvest disease of the banana fruit. The appearance of rot symptoms on the surface of the fruits reduces the quality and marketability of banana. From rot lesions on banana fruits, three Aspergillus isolates were isolated. Based on morphological characteristics and sequences of Internal Transcribed Spacer, β-tubulin and calmodulin, the isolates were identified as A. tamarii. Pathogenicity tests of the isolates, conducted using mycelial plugs with wounded and unwounded treatments, showed A. tamarii as the pathogen of banana fruit rot. Rot symptoms were highly severe on wounded banana fruits compared to unwounded fruits, and therefore, wounded banana fruits are more susceptible to A. tamarii infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of A. tamarii as a causal pathogen of banana fruit rot. This study indicated A. tamarii is one of postharvest rot pathogens of banana.

Effect of different levels of gibberellic acid and kinetin on quality and self-life of banana (Musa spp.) fruits

Artificial fruit ripening agents have become increasingly popular in recent years. During the ripening, various ripening agents are used for the ripening of banana fruits. The effects of various ripening agents of banana fruits (variety: Malbhog) were studied. Seven treatments consisting of distilled water, Gibberellic acid (GA3) @ 100 ppm, GA3 @ 200 ppm, GA3 @ 300 ppm, kinetin @ 3 ppm, kinetin @ 5 ppm, and kinetin @ 7 ppm were laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The maximum loss in weight (9.195%), Total Soluble Solids (20.33˚B), the highest color score (6), pH (4.767), Total Soluble Solids/Titratable Acidity TA (34.23), and Pulp peel ratio (2.84) were observed in banana sprayed with distilled water whereas the minimum value for TSS (12.67˚B), pulp peel ratio (1.813), peel color rating (2.67), TSS/TA (15.32) were observed in GA3 @ 300 ppm treated fruits. The maximum (32.67 days) and the minimum (18.33 days) shelf-life was observed in GA3 @ 300 ppm and distilled water respectively. This research will help in the regulation of ripening as per the needs of consumers and the distance of the market. In horticulture, it will help to extend storage life and reduce quality and economic loss.

Marketing Activities in the Fruit Industry: Case Study of Banana in Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province, Vietnam

Aims: The study aims to overview about the marketing activities of banana industry in Vietnam based on the case study in Khoai Chau district, Vietnam.
 Methodology: Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. Primary data was collected through face-to-face interviews and mobile phone with market participants using semi-structured questionnaire in two year 2016 and 2019. The descriptive analysis method was used to describe channels of distribution, marketing practices of farmers and traders, flow of product from producers to consumers, and problems that banana farmers and traders encounter in their business operations.
 Results: The results show that banana was sold through 13 channels for both domestic and international markets. At traders’ level market, non-contract was popularly applied by retailers in both selling and buying operations. Majority of banana growers have small operations and engage in small transactions and individually with buyers. They do not have market power in setting the price. They are often faced with unstable price and difficulty in entering high income market. Establishing banana grower association in each commune would enable growers to maintain and monitor the quality of banana especially among small growers. Though collective marketing, they can link with large and stable potential markets such as supermarkets and other institutional buyers.

Multi-Input Deep Learning Model with RGB and Hyperspectral Imaging for Banana Grading

Grading is a vital process during the postharvest of horticultural products as it dramatically affects consumer preference and satisfaction when goods reach the market. Manual grading is time-consuming, uneconomical, and potentially destructive. A non-invasive automated system for export-quality banana tiers was developed, which utilized RGB, hyperspectral imaging, and deep learning techniques. A real dataset of pre-classified banana tiers based on quality and size (Class 1 for export quality bananas, Class 2 for the local market, and Class 3 for defective fruits) was utilized using international standards. The multi-input model achieved an excellent overall accuracy of 98.45% using only a minimal number of samples compared to other methods in the literature. The model was able to incorporate both external and internal properties of the fruit. The size of the banana was used as a feature for grade classification as well as other morphological features using RGB imaging, while reflectance values that offer valuable information and have shown a high correlation with the internal features of fruits were obtained through hyperspectral imaging. This study highlighted the combined strengths of RGB and hyperspectral imaging in grading bananas, and this can serve as a paradigm for grading other horticultural crops. The fast-processing time of the multi-input model developed can be advantageous when it comes to actual farm postharvest processes.

THE ASSESSMENT ON RNA QUALITY AND BANANA RIPENING GENES (MaGAPDH, MaACS1, AND MaACO1) FROM FLESH TISSUES WITH DIFFERENT PRESERVATION METHODS

The preservation of banana fruit is vital to ensure ripening quality during the transportation process. The quality of banana can be defined using the gene expression marker, which needs high-quality RNA. However, when access to the laboratory is difficult, during long-distance transportation, lack of liquid nitrogen or refrigerator, we need an alternative for preservation methods, so the sample and the extracted RNA are still in excellent conditions. Aim of our research is to find the best preservation methods and test the genes expression marker of Cavendish banana flesh tissues without using the liquid nitrogen. In this study, we performed preservation methods for RNA extraction by directly storing the flesh tissues at -80°C refrigerator and combined with the use of various flesh cutting time (0, 19, and 30 minutes). We measured the total RNA yield, absorbance ratio of 260/280, and checked the expression of MaGAPDH, MaACS1, and MaACO1 genes using Reverse Transcriptase- PCR (RT-PCR). As a result, we found that the preservation methods did not affect the quality of RNA and the genes expression as well. Although the gene expression analysis need to be confirmed in future using quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. However, our preservation methods can be used as an alternative preservation method.

Determination of banana quality indices during the ripening process at different temperatures using smartphone images and an artificial neural network

Banana quality and ripening stages were studied at four different temperatures (20, 25, 27.5, and 30 °C) using a smartphone camera and an artificial neural network (ANN). Changes in chemical and physical properties such as firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, and ratio of pulp to peel, were determined and the relationship with color features (L*a*b*, hue, saturation, value [HSV], and luminance and chrominance [YUV]) were extracted from red, green, blue (RGB) images. ANN models based on color features were used to predict the quality indices of bananas during the ripening process. In addition, the developed models were verified by the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), and the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD). The ANN model predicted the firmness and TSS of banana efficiently, with R2 values higher than 0.96 and RMSE values less than 72.32 and 1.40 for firmness and TSS, respectively. However, the ANN model was not suitable for predicting the pH value and ratio of pulp to peel with R2 values less than 0.60 and RMSE values of over 0.20 and 0.23 for pH and the ratio of pulp to peel, respectively. Thus, we demonstrated a post-harvest methodology to determine the ripening status of bananas by predicting their quality indices during the ripening process on a smartphone camera using ANN, and suggest smartphone camera as a potential tool to estimate product quality.

First Record of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Causing Anthracnose of Banana in Pakistan.

Banana (Musa spp.) is one of the most widely grown and consumed fruits in Pakistan and all around the world due to their distinct aroma and taste. In 2018, anthracnose symptoms were observed on banana fruit harvested from different plantations of Sindh- a major banana producing Province of Pakistan. Approximately, 25% of banana fruit collected from different plantations were infected. The symptoms consisted of small brown to reddish-brown spots on the fruit surface and then became sunken lesions as the disease progressed. To identify the pathogen, infected tissues (5 mm in diameter) from the margin of the lesions were surface sterilized by dipping in 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 2 min, 70% ethanol for 30 s, and then rinsed twice with sterile distilled water, plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 27°C for 5 days with 12 h light and darkness cycle. Colonies with a similar pattern were consistently isolated and all colonies were sub-cultured using the single-spore method. Colonies first appeared with white colored mycelium and later turned to dark gray. Conidia produced in acervuli were cylindric, hyaline, straight, and aseptate, with both ends rounded. Conidia measured 14.0 ± 0.5 × 3.4 ± 0.6 μm. Conidiomata were dark brown and spherical. On the basis of morphological characterization, the pathogen was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. (Weir et al. 2012). Two independent isolates (PDL2031 and PDL2032) were used for further genetic analysis. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and chitin synthase 1 (CHS-1) gene were amplified from genomic DNA using primer pairs of ITS1/ITS4 and CHS-79F/CHS-345R, respectively (White et al. 1990; Damm et al. 2012). The GenBank accession numbers (MW493198, MW504711 for ITS and MW530421, MW530422 for CHS-1) of the sequences exhibited 99% to 100% identity to multiple sequences of C. gloeosporioides. To conduct a pathogenicity test, 10 healthy fruits were selected and surface sterilized with 70% ethanol followed by a wash of sterilized water. The fruits were stabbed with a sterile needle and a drop of 20 µl of spore suspension (106 spores/ml) was placed on each wound independently. Meanwhile 10 fruits inoculated with sterile water were treated as controls. The fruits were incubated at 27°C with 90% relative humidity for 10 days. Inoculated fruits exhibited symptoms similar to the original infection. No visible lesions appeared on control fruit. C. gloeosporioides was successfully reisolated from the inoculated fruit, confirming Koch's postulates. Anthracnose of banana is known to be caused by C. musae, C. gloeosporioides, C. siamense, C. tropicale, C. chrysophilum, C. theobromicola, and C. scovillei (Kumar et al. 2017; Peres et al. 2001; Vieira et al. 2017; Zakaria et al. 2009; Zhou et al. 2017). To our knowledge, this is first report of anthracnose of banana caused by C. gloeosporioides in Pakistan. The new disease primarily reduces the quality and yield of Banana. Effective measures should be taken to manage this disease.

Effect of storage temperature on the quality of kepok banana (Musa paradisiaca formatypica)

Kepok bananas are processed bananas that have ABB genotype, the letter B indicates that banana kepok has a stronger resistance to disease and chilling injury in cold temperatures storage. Storage at cold temperatures can extend the shelf life of bananas, because cold temperatures can slow down the respiration and enzymatic processes. The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of storage temperature on quality and shelf life, and to determine optimum storage temperature. The method used is storage temperature at room, 15oC and 10oC until the banana is damaged. The parameters observed were respiration patterns, weight loss, hardness, fruit skin color, total acid, vitamin C, pH, and total soluble solids. The results showed that bananas stored at cold temperatures (10oC and 15oC) can last up to 20 days while at room temperature only lasts for 10 days. Kepok bananas stored at 10oC have not shown symptoms of chilling injury.

The effect of different time durations of ozone treatment and storage temperatures on postharvest quality of banana (Musa acuminata)

As a climacteric fruit, bananas continue to ripe after being harvested and it’s accelerated by ethylene produced by the product. The rate of ripening process greatly influences shelf life of banana. Ozone treatment and storage temperature potentially inhibit ethylene production and may lengthen shelf life. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of different time durations of ozone treatment and storage room temperatures on the changes of peel colour, firmness, and weight loss of banana fruit. Green mature kepok bananas were used as the sample. The duration time of ozone exposure treatments used were 0 (untreated), 10, 15, and 20 minutes every day with the flow rate of 0.0279 ppm/min. While the storage temperatures used were 5, 15, and 27°C (ambient temperature). The physical qualities of the samples were measured every day for three weeks of storage. Repeated measure of statistical analysis indicated that storage time and its interaction with exposure time durations and storage temperatures were found to have significant effect on hue angle, chroma, firmness, and weight loss. It was also known that storage temperature had a significant effect on those above attributes, while exposure time duration of ozone treatment only affected hue angle.

Pengaruh Jenis Larutan Pemasak Terhadap Kualitas Pulp Daun Pisang

The need for paper continues to increase, indicating that there is an alternative wood material that can be used as a base for making pulp. Materials that can be used are dried banana leaves which contain cellulose. The quality of the pulp can be obtained by the characteristics of the pulp produced. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the type of solvents on the pulp quality of banana leaves. The pulp has been made using delignification process with addition of 3% NaOH or 3% Na2CO3 3% and heating up to 120 minutes, at 105 °C. Pulp quality was obtained from the results of pulp analysis, cellulose content, water content, physical appearances and qualitative analysis by FTIR. From the analysis of cellulose content, water content and FTIR instruments, pulp made with 3% NaOH solution are better suited to 3% Na2CO3 where the resulting pulp has a water content of 4.96%, a smooth and fibrous texture, a rich color, and produces a cellulose hydroxyl absorption band that is stronger than the pulp made of 3% Na2CO3. However, the pulp made from 3% NaOH solution has a lower yield (56.5%) and cellulose content (26.07%) than Na2CO3 3%. Dried banana leaves can be used as an alternative in pulp making.
 
 Keywords: pulp making; banana leaves; solvents

Combined effects of tangerine oil vapour mixed with banana flavour to enhance the quality and flavour of 'Hom Thong' bananas and evaluating consumer acceptance and responses using electroencephalography (EEG).

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of tangerine oil (TO) at 25, 50 and 75µL mixed with banana flavour (BF) at 25, 50 and 75µL to protect the quality and enhance the flavour of bananas. Then, 25µL TO + BF 50µL were selected for studying the quality of bananas stored at 13°C ± 2°C for 7days, and was used to test consumer brain responses using an electroencephalography (EEG). Results showed that mould grew and decomposition occurred in 10 and 50% of the 25µL TO + 50µL BF mixture and control, respectively, after 7days. Furthermore, this ratio increased ripening by having higher L*, b*, firmness and total soluble solid than the control (p < 0.05), whereas titratable acidity and pH were maintained (p > 0.05). The EEG demonstrated that consumption of TO-treated banana could increase brain alertness using stimulating the beta wave activity on banana stimulations for human brain. Limonene, one of the main components of TO, was found in the flesh of treated banana after storage for 4weeks and possibly interacted with other components to improve antifungal activity and brain response.

Development of banana in vitro from male bud culture supplemented with some concentration of sucrose and benzyladenine

Conventional techniques of propagating banana plants with corms require a relatively long time (10-18 months) and the amount produced is limited due to deforestation and industrialization. So production and supply of quality products are becoming a great challenge. In addition, there is a need to develop climate-resilient crop to face the consequences of global warming in the near future. Plant tissue culture is a proven technique for producing banana seeds in large quantities, uniformly and in a short time to support good quality banana seeds. The banana flower meristem can be a potential explant. The banana flower meristem offers the opportunity to regenerate plants with agronomic characteristics and results that can be controlled. This study aimed to regenerate banana flowers in vitro with different sucrose and BA (Benzyladenine) concentrations. The study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), two factorials sucrose concentration with 4 levels (20 g/L, 25 g/L, 30 g/L, and 35 g/L) and BA concentration with 4 levels (2 ppm, 4 ppm, 6 ppm and 8 ppm). The results showed that the combination of BA and sucrose concentration had not directly induced organogenesis in banana flower explants. Growth and development of banana flower explants maximally form Cauliflower-Like Bodies.

Ripening quality of banana cv. Amritasagor through application of different ripening agents

Desirable ripened quality banana fruits are important for the consumer acceptability. Banana cv. Amritasagar was treated with different ripening agents like control (R1), RipestuffTM @ 42 mg/10 mL water (R2), RipestuffTM @ 84 mg/10 mL water (R3), Ethephone @ 200 ppm (R4) and Ethephone @ 400 ppm (R5); and storage durations were 24 h (H1), 48 h (H2), 72 h (H3), and 96 h (H4). The two factors experiment was conducted with complete randomized design with three replications. Fruits were placed in container (RFL). With the progress of storage duration quality parameters like weight loss (%), peel color, pulp to peel ratio, softness, total soluble solids (TSS), and pH were recorded. Fruits treated with R3 and R5 produced uniform yellow color and the highest softness at 96 h. Whereas banana fruits treated with R2 developed peel colour and softness a bit slower compared to other treatments; and untreated fruits (control) were hard, poor in color and quality, and were not suitable for consumption at 96 h. The highest TSS (%) were found at 72 h treated with R5 and at 96 h with R5 including R3, and R4 showed the mostly similar TSS (%). Thus, RipestuffTM @ 84 mg/10 mL water (R3) and ethephon @ 400 ppm (R5) can be used maintaining quality and ripening banana for better price of banana growers and traders through avail it at earlier marketing and reduced postharvest loss.

Performance of Different Bunch Cover Materials to Improve Quality of Cavendish Banana Cultivated during Winter and Summer in Thailand

Performance of different cover materials on improving Cavendish banana quality was examined during winter and summer. The banana bunch was covered with a thin nonwoven innermost layer, followed by cover materials arranged from inner to outer as follows. (1) Control (commercial cover), paper/polystyrene sheet (PS)/non-perforated blue polyethylene (NPPE), (2) nonwoven (NW)/NPPE, (3) waterproof nonwoven (WPNW), (4) aluminum foil (ALF), and (5) WPNW + ALF. For the summer trial, control without PS layer was applied. Material properties including thickness, light transmissivity and heat energy (Qx) were evaluated. Results showed that Qx values transferred through PS sheet, NW, WPNW and ALF were not significantly different. ALF exhibited the lowest light transmissivity, associated with the highest fruit lightness (L*) and lowest fruit weight. For the winter trial, all cover materials exhibited chilling injury on fruit caused by temperatures below 10 °C. For the summer trial, five treatments prevented sunburn defect. Under field air temperature of 47.5 °C, ALF exhibited the lowest temperature (31.6 °C). All cover materials reduced hand and fruit sizes, whereas WPNW resulted in an increase in total soluble solids and prevented fading of the green peel color. Results suggested that WPNW, with reduced layers as environmentally friendly and reusable materials, had potential as a cover material to improve the quality of Cavendish banana.