The technology used to ripen bananas is affected by a wide range of factors, including the cultivar, growing conditions, harvesting method, and maturity at which the fruit are harvested and handled. Various post harvest treatments applied to fruit can also impact ripening. While many textbooks have been dedicated to Musa (bananas and plantains), none have focused exclusively on the ripening process. The commercial ripening of bananas and the chemical changes that occur thereby are considered here in detail. In developed, temperate countries where bananas are imported, successful ripening technologies have evolved. Most bananas, however, are marketed locally in the country where they are grown, and often the ripening technologies used have economic and health implications. This brief offers an in-depth discussion of not only the implications of these technologies, but also of alternative ripening methods and their commercial applications. For an understanding of both the chemical basis by which bananas ripen and the technologies used to control the process, look no further than this essential text.

Provides in-depth explanation of the physiological and chemical basis by which bananas ripen and the factors affecting ripening technologies including growing conditions and maturity at harvest Analyzes the efficiency of various ripening technologies, such as those involving application of ethylene and acetylene and physical and non-chemical methods Discusses the economic and health implications of ripening technologies used in both banana producing and importing countries

Autorentext
Anthony Keith Thompson has been teaching, researching, consulting and managing in the food industry thoughout Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas for nearly 60 years. He has a BSc in horticulture from London University and a PhD in Agronomy from Leeds University.

Inhalt
Ch 1: Introduction.- Ch 2: Preharvest effects.- Ch 3: Fruit ripening.- Ch 4: Postharvest treatments to control ripening.- Ch 5: Initiation of ripening.- Ch 6: Ripening Technology.- Ch 7: Conclusions.