ABSTRACT. The effects of putrescine, spermine and spermidine treatments before storage
on quality and shelf life of “Hom Thong” bananas (Musa sp., AAA group, Gros Michel
subgroup, cultivar “Hom Thong”) were studied. Banana fruits were dipped in different
concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 ppm of each polyamine for 5 minutes compared to control
treatment and then stored at 25°C for 13 days. It was found that 1 ppm putrescine can
delay changes in peel color, firmness and total soluble solids in banana fruit. In addition,
treatment of spermine at 0.1 ppm can help maintain the amount of total soluble solids.
Dipping banana fruit in 0.1 ppm spermidine likely delayed the loss of fresh weight, firmness,
total soluble solids and color changes. Therefore, postharvest applications of appropriate
types and concentrations of polyamine solution result in retention of quality in banana fruit
during storage.