Effects of Tal Pro-long, a surface coating agent, on the shelf life and quality attributes of plantain.

The effects of Tal Pro-long, a commercial fruit coating, on the shelf life and selected quality attributes of plantain were investigated. Relative to untreated fruits, yellow colour development was retarded by 4 to 8 days, and changes in pH and total acidity were delayed in plantain dipped in 1.5% or 2.5% Pro-long solution when stored at 30°C or at 20–24°C. Pro-long treatment had less effect on the pulp: peel ratio of plantain and on changes in moisture contents of pulp and peel during storage. After ripening, fruits dipped in 1.5% Pro-long solution produced an acceptable, though slightly inferior, fried plantain product relative to untreated fruits.