ISHS Acta Horticulturae 490: I International Symposium on Banana in the Subtropics
THE EFFECTS OF PEEL ABRASION ON THE POSTHARVEST PHYSIOLOGY AND COMMERCIAL LIFE OF BANANA FRUITS |
| Authors: | J.D. Santana Lladó, A. Marrero Domínguez |
| Keywords: | Musa, ethylene, mechanical injury, quality standards, green life |
| Abstract:
Mechanical damage is an important factor of the downgrading of banana fruits during postharvest handling. Present quality ratings in the European Union take into account the percentage of peel damage due to bruising, scarring and scratching. We have studied the effects of two levels of mechanical abrasion (1 and 4 cm2 per fruit) at three relative humidity levels (50, 75 and 100% % RH) on the physiology, green life and commercial quality of banana (“Dwarf. Cavendish” cv.) fruits. The results obtained show that both levels of mechanical damage significantly affected the physiological development of the fruits (respiration and ethylene production) and had a negative incidence on final quality. Air humidity level appeared to be negatively correlated with the severity of the symptoms. | |
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