Effect of Potassium permanganate and zeolite on shelf life and quality of Musa Acuminata

Abstract

The present research was conducted at Biochemical laboratory, School of Bioprocess UniMAP during the period of September 2018 to May 2019. This project used Musa acuminate cv. Berangan, a wild species of banana which is highly perishable due to its rapid ripening properties which associated with the increases of ethylene production and rises in cellular respiration after harvest. Therefore, chemical application of ethylene scavenger that are able to reduce the ripening hormone of bananas (ethylene) was used to extend the shelf life and delay deterioration of bananas whereby maintain its percentage of marketability. For this study, potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and zeolite were used as ethylene absorbent. First screening was conducted where KMnO4 impregnated into zeolite and were applied in different quantity (0g, 1g, 3g, 5g, 10g) for bananas storage in order to evaluate its effectiveness towards the shelf life and quality changes of bananas. Results from the first screening shows that higher quantity of KMnO4-zeolite dosage (T4) provide significant effect on enhancing the shelf life and quality of bananas in terms of physico-chemical properties changes throughout the storage period. The results presented on 11th day of bananas storage showed reduction and retardation in percent weight loss (9.62%), peel colour changes, firmness changes (28.2%), total soluble solid (TSS) (12.1% Brix) and titratable acidity (TA) (0.084% malic acid). Moreover, shelf life of postharvest can be affected by the types of packaging. From the second screening, perforated packaging (T6) was found best for prolonging the shelf life and maintain quality of bananas as compared to non-perforated packaging (T5). Therefore, postharvest losses can be reduced by the mentioned treatment and it can be considered and implemented in postharvest industries for extending the shelf life of banana effectively and economically.