Determination of the Effects of Some Post-Harvest Treatments on the Quality of Banana Fruits During Storage and After Ripening

In this study, it was aimed to impact the effect of different post-harvest treatments on the shelf life of banana fruits of 'Dwarf Cavendish' banana cultivar after storage and ripening. 1) Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), 2) 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) + MAP, 3) Three different treatments (MAP + ethylene absorbent (EA)) were applied and only those using macro-aperture PE packaging were considered as control. Banana fruits were stored at 13°C and 90% RH for 30 days. Quality analyses were performed on samples taken at 10-day intervals. After 30 days of storage, the banana fruits were ripened to the ripeness level of No.3 and quality changes were determined after 4 days of shelf life. The treatments significantly limited the color change, softening of the peel and flesh, increased total soluble solids (TSS), ethylene secretion and respiration rate, especially in the last period of storage compared to the control. Green bananas treated with 1-MCP + MAP showed the best results during storage, but ripening problems were experienced. MAP + EA treatment delayed the coloration of banana fruits, softening of the flesh and increases in the TSS content during shelf life. MAP + EA treatment gave the best results both in terms of storage of banana fruits at green maturity and their resistance after ripening.