Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), a natural phospholipid, has been investigated for retarding
senescence and promoting the shelf life of fruit and other plant tissues. LPE is a water insoluble
phospholipid. For most experimental purposes, LPE is dispersed in water prior to treatment of fruit using
sonication. In this study, the water solubility of LPE was improved by mixing it with soy lecithin prior to
mixing with water. A combination of LPE and lecithin was used for a dip treatment of banana fruit. Banana
fruit at ripening stage 2 (3/4 green) were dipped in this solution for 30 min and then stored at room
temperature for 10 d. A combination of 200 mg L1 LPE and lecithin gave the best shelf life. In this
treatment over 75% of the fruit were marketable 7 d after treatment. While only about 20% and 28% of the
fruit were marketable in the water (control) and lecithin treated-fruit respectively. Fruit treated with
lecithin alone had better shelf life as compared to the control. Furthermore, the LPE + lecithin treatment
gave better shelf life as compared to the LPE alone treatment. At 7 d after dip, fruit treated with
LPE + lecithin had lower ion leakage from peel tissue, higher pulp
firmness, and thicker peel as compare to
the control and lecithin treatments. A dip treatment with NAA (1-naphthalene acetic acid) was compared
with LPE + lecithin for fruit marketability and changes in various fruit properties during ripening.
Although NAA improved shelf life and retarded fruit softening as compared to the control, this treatment
resulted in abnormal de-greening of fruit peel tissue. Fruit treated with LPE + lecithin had normal yellow
color development and had lower ethylene production as compared to NAA and control treatments. The
results of this study suggest that a dip treatment with a combination of LPE and lecithin may have
potential for improving shelf life of banana fruit.