TY - JOUR UR - https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.26609v1 DO - 10.7287/peerj.preprints.26609v1 TI - Ripening of bananas using Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth leaves AU - Nascimento,Rivaildo C AU - Freire,Oliveiros O AU - Domingos,Ana Rosa S AU - Falcão,Mirelly SS AU - Ribeiro,Lylian S AU - Zanuncio,José C AU - Ribeiro,Wellington S DA - 2018/03/03 PY - 2018 KW - agroecological production of banana KW - agroecology KW - natural ripening inducer KW - post-harvest of banana. KW - fruticulture AB - Introduction: Bananas are usually matured with carbide, a dangerous substance that can cause food poisoning. The objective was to test the empirical ripening banana method using Bowdichia virgilioides leaves compared to carbide. Material and Methods: Ripening tests were carried out using 'Pacovan' banana fruits with Bowdichia virgilioides leaves and carbide following the empirical method used by Borborema farmers, Paraíba, Brazil. Results: Bowdichia virgilioides leaves induced increased respiration and vitamin C production and reduced acidity, chlorophyll and pH in banana fruits. Leaves of B. virgilioides induce maturation of 'Pacovan' banana. Discussion: Exposure of the fruits to the ethylene produced by B. virgilioides leaves induced increased respiration and climacteric, resulting in banana ripening with better results than with carbide. VL - 6 SP - e26609v1 T2 - PeerJ Preprints JO - PeerJ Preprints J2 - PeerJ Preprints SN - 2167-9843 ER -