The effect of exogenous oxalic acid treatment on ripening attributes of banana fruit during storage was
investigated. Banana fruit were dipped into solutions of 0 (control) or 20 mM oxalic acid for 10 min and
then stored at room temperature (23 ± 2 ◦C) and 75–90% relative humidity. The application of oxalic acid
reduced fruit deterioration during storage. The oxalic acid treatment also reduced the rates of respiration
and ethylene production, and delayed the decreases in firmness, hue angle, and maximal chlorophyll
fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of banana fruit during storage. Furthermore, fruit treated with oxalic acid exhibited
higher superoxide dismutase activity and antioxidant capability with a lower production of reactive
oxygen species at the late storage period compared with non-oxalic acid-treated fruit. Overall, the oxalic
acid treatment was effective in inhibiting postharvest ripening of banana fruit and exhibited the potential
for commercial application to store the bananas at room temperature. It can be concluded that the delay
in banana fruit ripening associated with oxalic acid treatment could be due to inhibition of respiration and
ethylene production rates, and reduction of oxidative injury caused by reactive oxygen species through
increased antioxidant activity.