Effect of short‐term anaerobic conditions on the production of volatiles, activity of alcohol acetyltransferase and other quality traits of ripened bananas

Abstract Yellow, ripened (yellow with green tips) bananas were treated with nitrogen gas for 12, 24 and 48 h at 20 °C to study the effects of anaerobic conditions on the fruit quality, including the production of volatile compounds and activity of alcohol acetyltransferase (AAT) during the post‐harvest period. Significantly higher concentrations of acetaldehyde and ethanol were found in the treated fruit than in the untreated bananas after removal from the conditions. The 48‐h treatment showed higher levels of ethanol and acetaldehyde after storage. Immediately after releasing the fruit from the anaerobic atmosphere, the amounts of isobutyl acetate and isoamyl acetate decreased. The production of ethyl acetate increased markedly in each treatment unit 1 day after removing the fruit. Regardless of recovery from the production of isobutyl acetate and isoamyl acetate 1 day after treatment, the banana‐like aroma was denatured because of the production of high levels of ethyl acetate and ethanol. The increase in AAT was slightly lower in nitrogen‐treated fruit than untreated fruit. However, the activity in treated fruit was sufficient for ester production in bananas. The endogenous alcohol levels were increased during nitrogen gas treatment in the fruit due to the inhibition of ester production. Colour development of the bananas was greatly inhibited by the treatments, while the sugar content did not show any differences between the treated and untreated fruit. The results suggest that, even if bananas are removed from the short‐term anaerobic conditions, a loss in quality, except sweetness, easily occurs afterwards, especially the characteristic aroma of the fruit during the post‐harvest period. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry