Post Harvest Treatments to Enhance Shelf Life of Banana

Banana is one of the most ancient crops in the world. It is the most appreciated fruit because of its
multipurpose use as food. Being perishable, it deteriorates very quickly. Post-harvest treatment with
various suitable chemicals like potassium permanganate, ethrel, dipping in hot water, cold water and
use of polythene bags can be used for enhancing shelf-life. Post-harvest treatment of banana fingers
with different concentrations of potassium permanganate, ethrel and dippings in hot and cold water
and analysis of shelf-life of treated fruits through titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and TSS content of
fruit has been carried out during storage. The analysis revealed superiority of ethrel 600 ppm and
potassium permanganate as ethylene inhibitor and absorbent to improve storage life banana fruits
without loss of nutrient content.