Harvesting and Postharvest Technology of Banana

Abstract

This chapter discusses banana harvesting indices and practices, fruit grade and standards, postharvest handling and losses, postharvest operations, and storage technologies. Harvesting indices define the best time to cut the fruit, trying to maximize fruit growth and production yield before harvest. Harvest planning is an important step which requires inspection of the banana bunches considering the time from setting and fruit growth and development, as well as requirements from the packing house or the buyers. According to the CODEX standard, bananas are classified into three classes: Extra class, Class I, and Class II. Appropriate food safety has to be practiced while handling bananas in the field and the packing house. This involves good agriculture practices in the field and the packing house, which are common practices to avoid any type of contamination. Over-ripening and mechanical damage caused by bruising and compression are the main causes of losses in banana supply chains.