A comparative study on the ripening and mineral content of organically and conventionally grown Cavendish bananas.

ABSTRACT A study was undertaken to compare the postharvest properties of organically and conventionally grown bananas. The effects of ethrel treatment on the skin colour of organic and non-organic bananas (Musa AAA group Cavendish subgroup, Robusta) were determined during ripening at 22–25°C. In addition, pulp temperature, impedance (at 100 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz), gravimetric and volumetric pulp: peel ratios, fruit density, total soluble solids (TSS) and major (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) minerals of ripe fruit were also compared for organically and conventionally grown bananas. Organic bananas ripened faster than non-organic bananas as measured by peel colour change (reflectance, chroma and hue angle). Hedonic scale values showed that ethrel treatment promoted uniform skin change from green to yellow. Visual colour values had strong positive correlation against reflectance, chroma or hue angle, but was more closely related to hue angle. Organic and non-organic bananas had no significant difference in TSS con...