Maintenance of fruit quality in organically-grown bananas under modified atmosphere conditions

Abstract

The effects of modified atmosphere packaging at low storage temperature on the quality of organic bananas (cv. Cavendish) were investigated. Polybags, with or without an ethylene scavenger, significantly reduced (p<0.05) the total weight loss of bananas during storage for 25 days and fruit firmness was favoured by packaging. Bags containing a scavenger prevented the peel colour changing beyond the classification ‘greener than yellow’ over 25 days and total soluble solids were lower than in unwrapped fruit. The fruit was not treated with fungicide yet disease levels were relatively low at 25 days. Shelf life extension to 62 days was possible in polybags containing potassium permanganate when held at 14?C. When the scavenger was omitted, storage life was 55 days, yet acceptable taste and other quality were maintained.