Postharvest quality of ‘pacovan’ banana commercialized in different establishments in the municipality of Mossoró, RN, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this work was to characterize and evaluate the post harvest quality of “Pacovan” bananas, commercialized in different types of establishments in Mossoró municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The fruits were collected with maturation type 6 (fruit with total yellow peel). The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, with three treatments (types of establishments) and six blocks (harvest days). The analyzed variables were: total and pulp mass, longitudinal and transversal length, external appearance, firmness, solubles solids, titratable acidity, SS/AT relation, price, incidence and frequency of fungus isolation. The fruits from the three establishments showed physical and chemical characteristics that fit in the ideal standard for in natura consumption. Bananas of the A establishment were characrerized by bigger mass and longitudinal and transversal lengths. High incidence of dark spots and/or putrity was observed, which contributed to degradation of the external appearance of the commercialized bananas, regardless of the establishment type.