Brazil is a major producer and consumer of various types of bananas. Thap Maeo is a promising cultivar thanks to its resistance to Black and Yellow Sigatoka. However, the lack of information and post-harvesting technologies regarding its physiology limit its expansion on the market.
For this reason, researchers from the University of Sao Paulo studied the physical, biochemical and physiological characteristics of Thap Maeo bananas and defined the best ethylene dosage for treatment considering ripening parameters. Bananas were harvested and monitored during both natural and ethylene-induced ripening processes.
Assessments on pulp firmness, peel colour and endogenous ethylene production showed different profiles between ethylene-treated and non-treated fruits, whereas ethylene responses concerning carbohydrate and hormone profiles as well as ethylene receptor expression were observed in all bananas treated with ethylene, even when the gas was applied at a low concentration.
Results showed that the Thap Maeo cultivar is highly sensitive to ethylene. "The effective dosage can be redefined at 100 times lower than what can be applied commercially, i.e. 10 μL/L".
Source: Saraiva Lorenzo A., Castelan Florence P., Gomes Bruna L., Purgatto Eduardo, Cordenunsi-Lysenko Beatriz R., 'Thap Maeo bananas: Fast ripening and full ethylene perception at low doses', 2018, Food Research International, Vol. 105, pag. 384-392.
Results showed that the Thap Maeo cultivar is highly sensitive to ethylene. "The effective dosage can be redefined at 100 times lower than what can be applied commercially, i.e. 10 μL/L".
Source: Saraiva Lorenzo A., Castelan Florence P., Gomes Bruna L., Purgatto Eduardo, Cordenunsi-Lysenko Beatriz R., 'Thap Maeo bananas: Fast ripening and full ethylene perception at low doses', 2018, Food Research International, Vol. 105, pag. 384-392.