Effect of Potassium Permanganate and Zeolite on Shelf Life and Quality of Musa Acuminata

Abstract

This paper study the effect of ethylene scavenger treatments in different quantity (T₀: 0g, T₁: 1g, T₂: 3g, T₃: 5g and T₄: 10g per sachet) and types of packaging (T₅: non-perforated and T₆: perforated packaging) on Musa Acuminata to its shelf life and physicochemical quality. Potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) and zeolite were used as ethylene absorbent which stored together with the bananas under uniform atmospheric condition at temperature of 25-28°C and 85-95% of relative humidity (RH). Physicochemical analysis (e.g. weight loss, peel colour changes, firmness, total soluble solid content and titratable acidity) were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of each treatments throughout its storage period. Results showed that treatment with higher quantity of KMnO₄-zeolite (T₄: 10g) shows reduction and retardation in percent weight loss (9.62%), peel colour changes, firmness changes (28.2%), total soluble solid (TSS) (12.1% Brix), titratable acidity (TA) (0.084% malic acid) and also greater storability of banana. Therefore, postharvest losses can be reduced by the mentioned treatment and it can be implemented in postharvest industries for extending the shelf life of banana effectively.