Effects Of Botanical Extracts and Modified Atmosphere Packages in Maintaining Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life of Banana (Musa sapientum L.)

Banana (Musa sapientum L.), one of the most important and nutritious fruits, has a short shelf life due to accelerated ripening and postharvest processes. As quality and shelf life are crucial in reducing waste and ensuring market supply, proper postharvest handling is essential. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of plant extracts and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on postharvest quality and shelf life of banana. The research was carried out at the Horticulture Laboratory, Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna. Fresh, mature green bananas were treated with botanical extracts (Aloe vera, garlic, marigold, and neem) and with perforated and unperforated low-density polyethene (LDPE) pouches containing cotton impregnated with KMnO₄ under ambient storage conditions. The untreated fruits were kept as a control. The experiment was a completely randomized design with three replications of treatments consisting of 10 fruits each. Weight loss, % disease incidence and severity, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C content, color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C* & h°), and pulp-to-peel ratio, along with physiological and biochemical changes, were analyzed. The results showed that both botanical and packaging treatments significantly affected postharvest performance (p ≤ 0.05). Among all treatments, unperforated LDPE bags most effectively delayed ripening, minimized weight loss and color change, and maintained firmness and brightness, extending shelf life up to 10 days. Perforated LDPE bags also performed well, while Aloe vera coating moderately delayed ripening with acceptable quality. Overall, MAP treatments, particularly unperforated LDPE bags with KMnO₄, were most effective, and natural extracts offered safe, eco-friendly alternatives to chemical preservatives.

Keywords: Banana; postharvest quality; shelf life; botanical extracts; modified atmosphere packaging; LDPE; KMnO_4.

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