Post-harvest quality of banana genotypes PA42-44 and Prata-Anã cultivated in teh north of Minas Gerais

The production of bananas will always be threatened by diseases of great economical impact that can unable production. The best strategy to control these diseases, economically and environmentally, is the utilization of resistant materials. However, these must have more than good characteristics of production; they should have attractive flavor and easiness in handling and transportation as requisites for market acceptance. Therefore, the objective of this work was the evaluation of post harvest characteristics of the disease resistant genotype PA 42-44 comparing with the 'Prata-Anã' variety commercially accepted, but susceptible to diseases. For that matter, bananas of each genotype were harvested and stored at 22 ± 1°C temperature and 75 ± 5% relative humidity, until they reached the pre-determined color index for evaluation. The bananas were evaluated at the color indexes of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 according to the Von Loesecke scale. The variables analyzed were: firmness, pH, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), relation SS/TA and finger detachment. It was also studied maturation period through analysis of color alteration of the bananas for 12 days. Finally, a panel test was done for appearance, acceptability, firmness and sweetness for both genotypes. PA42-44 bananas when compared with 'Prata-Anã' bananas in the same coloration index was more ripe. However, when analyzed in relation to storage period 'Prata-Anã' ripened more rapidly. The PA42-44 bananas are less firm and more susceptible to finger detachment than 'Prata-Anã' bananas. The panel test between the genotypes showed similar taste appreciation.

storage; conservation; panel test; finger drop