Effects of harvest maturity on banana quality

Bananas (cv. Hochuchu) were harvested at 80, 90 and 100 days after inflorescence emergence for quality evaluation. At harvest the 80-day sample had the highest flesh firmness and starch content, followed in order by the 90-day and the 100-day samples. The opposite was found for total sugars content. Titratable acidity in the 100-day fruit was significantly greater than those in the 80-day and 90-day fruits. No significant differences in flesh firmness, starch content, total sugars content and titratable acidity were noted among fruits of different maturity stages when ripe. Their eating quality was acceptable with the scores corresponding to like moderately to like very much.