Influence of wax coating and indigenous potassium permanganate based ethylene absorbents on shelf life of banana cv. Dwarf Cavendish

The present investigation was carried out to study the "influence of wax coating and indigenous potassium permanganate based ethylene absorbents on self life of banana" cv. Dwarf Cavendish during year 2006–2007. Locally available indigenous materials like thermocol, filter paper, blotting paper, clay, coir pith, saw dust, chalk were used as base materials as ethylene absorbents. It was observed that an indigenous ethylene scrubber made out of filter paper delayed ripening of fruits (35.20) days meanwhile the control fruits ripened within (19.80) days and the peel colour was green with traces of yellow in all the treated fruits. The control fruits were yellow with green tips. Wax coating in combination with hot water and ethylene absorbent had effectively extended green life than when wax alone used at different concentration. Maximum green life was observed in 6% wax coated fruits in combination with hot water and ethylene absorbent. Meanwhile green life for control was only (21.80) days. Wax coating also reduced PLW to the minimum (3.02 to 4.84%) as against (7.27%) in the control.