Review on the Role of Different Packaging Materials on Post Harvest Shelf Life and Quality Preservation of Banana (Musa spp) Fruits

Abstract

Zenebe Abebu Tekle, Yibeltal Ayana Belachew, Melese Endeshaw Kefale, Adamtew Alemnew Mesele and Seid Eshetu Ali

Banana (Musa spp L.), is one of the most important fruit crop of the world and it belonging to the family Musaceae. Banana is a very popular fruit due to its low price and high nutritive value. It is a rich source of Carbohydrate and is rich in vitamins particularly vitamin B. Its production is also an important source of income for many small holder sub- Saharan African farmers. It has a great socio economic importance, contributing much to the overall well-being of rural communities including food security, income generation and job creation. The post-harvest losses of fresh banana fruits go up to 30-40% globally. The losses occur on account of various factors such as lack of storage facilities, improper handling, and lack of packaging and refrigerated storage facilities. This invariability led to quantitative and qualitative loses. Significant proportion of banana fruits has been lost in Ethiopia due to lack of awareness on effect of packaging materials on shelf life and quality of harvested banana fruit. Similarly, lack of postharvest and marketing infrastructures such as packaging, cold storage, pre-package and distribution, postharvest treatment and washing facilities together with production constraints are reported problems leading to low productivity and considerable postharvest loss of banana in Ethiopia. The potential for solving some of the problems related to banana shelf life and quality and its postharvest maintenance is through the use of different packaging materials. The main objective of this seminar paper is to review the Effect of Different Packaging Material on Shelf Life and Quality of Banana (Musa spp) Fruits.

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