Vol. 81 No: 6

Title:
Effect of controlled atmosphere storage on ripening and quality of banana fruit

Authors:
SAEED AHMAD and A.K. THOMPSON

pp: 1021-1024

Abstract:
To estimate the effects on controlled atmosphere storage conditions on quality, banana fruits were exposed to different combinations of O₂ and CO₂ before and after they had been initiated to ripen. Controlled atmosphere conditions before the initiation of ripening had beneficial effects in delaying ripening, with no detrimental effects on subsequent ripening or eating quality of the fruits when they were ripened in air. Reduced O₂ appeared to be mainly responsible for delaying ripening. Post-climacteric use of controlled atmospheres extended the marketable life of fruit by 2.3- to 3.8-fold, depending on the combination of O₂/CO₂ used, compared to storage in air; but there were detrimental effects on fruit quality when 2% O₂ was used. Overall, 4% O₂ was most effective in extending storage-life. CO₂, in the range tested (4 - 8%), appeared to have no positive or negative effects on marketable shelf-life or fruit quality.

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