Ripening of mango fruit is characterized by softening of flesh which limits its shelf life. 1-MCP is nontoxic gas that delays fruit softening and improves quality of several fruit. Therefore, the role of 1-MCP in regulating fruit softening and quality of 'Kensington Pride' mango was investigated. Physiological mature fruits treated with 1-MCP (1 mL L -1 ), ethylene (10 mL L -1 ) or 1-MCP ? ethylene for 12 h at ambient condition (20 ± 1°C). Untreated (control) as well as treated fruits were allowed to ripe at ambient temperature (20 ± 1°C) for 10 days. Ethylene production, respiration rate and other fruit ripening parameters were determined periodically. Climacteric peaks of ethylene production and respiration rate were significantly supressed by 1-MCP application as compared to ethylene-treated and control fruit. Exogenous application of ethylene accelerated the development of fruit colour, fruit softening with increased activities of exo-PG, endo-PG and EGase enzymes in the pulp tissues. Whereas, activities of fruit softening enzymes were significantly delayed and/or suppressed in 1-MCP-treated fruit. 1-MCPtreated fruit showed improved rheological properties (i.e., firmness, springiness and stiffness), decreased level of citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, total organic acids, total sugars and sucrose than other treatments. 1-MCP inhibited the activities of fruit softening enzymes which consequently delayed the ripening and ripening related changes in 'Kensington Pride' mango.

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Banana is a common and popular subtropical fruit worldwide. Its postharvest life is very short which causes difficulties in marketing and preserving banana at good condition. To find out a better solution of this problem, the current study was conducted during 2017 in the Horticulture Laboratory, Khulna University, Bangladesh, by following the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) of experiment. Harvested banana fruits, sabri (Musa sapientum L) were treated with guava leaf and lemon extracts at different concentrations. Non-treated fruits were considered as control. Both treated and non-treated bananas were stored in covered paper carton at ambient condition. Postharvest performances of the stored fruits during storage were observed for two weeks. After two weeks of storage, lower changes in color (score 6.77), firmness (score 4.43), less TSS content (8.21%), minimum infection (48.89%) and disease severity (score 3.33) and maximum shelf life (8.75 days) were observed in banana fruit with treatment of T3 (guava leaf extract 20% + lemon extract 15%) followed by treatment of T5 (guava leaf extract 40% + lemon extract 15%) treated fruits. However, the T4 treated banana fruit showed maximum vitamin C (1.83 mg/100 g), titratable acidity (0.11%) and reduced sugar (7.13%) after two weeks of storage. In conclusion, combination of guava leaf extract (20% or 40%) + lemon extract (15%) could be suggested for long term storage and maintenance of postharvest qualities at ambient conditions. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 337–342, December 2018

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A huge loss of banana occurs due to its shorter shelf life and inappropriate postharvest handling. There is a scarce of effective postharvest practices to combat this situation in Bangladesh. In this context, the current experiment was conducted to assess the effects of hot water (45°C for 2 or 5 minutes) and neem leaf extract (20% or 40%) on quality and shelf life of banana (cv. Sabri). The experiment was carried out in completely randomized design with three replications. Data on physico-chemical properties of banana were collected during storage in ambient conditions for two weeks. After two weeks of storage, the banana treated with 40% neem leaf extract showed longest shelf life (8.33 days), minimum change in color (score 4.88), minimum disease incidence (33.33%) and severity (score 2.23), lower reduction of titratable acidity (0.12%) and lower level of total soluble solid (6.90%). While the banana were treated with hot water at 45°C for 2 min, the treated banana also showed lower color change (score 4.53), longer shelf life (8.33 days), minimum loss of firmness (score 4.67), minimum change in vitamin C content (2.17mg/100g) and lower reduction in titratable acidity (0.11%). Among the combined treatments, the banana treated with the combination of hot water (at 45°C for 5 minutes)and 40% neem leaf extract also exhibited considerably longer shelf life (8.17 days), lower change in color (score 5.00), lower disease incidence (46.67%) and lower reduction in titratable acidity (0.15%). From the study it could be concluded that the fruit treated with 40% neem leaf extract retained the majority of the quality parameters for considerably longer period and thereby it could be recommended for practical use to ensure better and longer storage of banana (cv. Sabri) J.Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 351–356, December 2018