One of the biggest problems faced by banana growers is to determine the most appropriate harvest time. This study aimed to evaluate the post-harvest conservation of 'Prata-Anã' bananas harvested at 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 weeks after the inflorescence emergence and subjected to 25 days of cold storage at the temperature of 13.5 ºC (± 1 ºC) and 90 % (± 5 %) of relative humidity. The bananas harvested at 19 and 20 weeks after the inflorescence emergence showed a more advanced maturity stage after 25 days of cold storage at 13.5 ºC. The bananas showed an increase in the content of soluble solids, as well as sugars, during the evaluations, after withdrawal from the cold room. Regardless of the fruit age, there was a decrease in the pH values over the 9 days of evaluation, after the 25-day storage period. The fruits at the ages of 19 and 20 weeks presented, on average, starch contents lower than those of the fruits with 16, 17 and 18 weeks. Fruits at the ages of 19 and 20 weeks showed higher extravasation levels on the second day of evaluation. Both the fruit harvest time and storage temperature directly influenced the post-harvest conservation and the physical and chemical characteristics of the 'Prata-Anã' bananas.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthracnose intensity in ‘Prata-Anã’ banana with the application of three phosphite formulations in two application intervals in the developing banana bunches and to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of fruits. In the field, in addition to producer management, three phosphite formulations were evaluated: FCu1 (4% Cu + 20% P2O5), FCu2 (4% Cu + 22% P2O5) and FK (42% P2O5 + 27.7% K2O) sprayed on banana bunches at different application frequencies: four and eight times. The experiment was carried out in a randomized blocks design following a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with 3 phosphite formulations, pure water and no application and two application intervals. Pure water and no application were used as control. Fruits were harvested, stored in refrigeration chamber (25 ± 1 ° C and 80 ± 5% RH) and evaluated for anthracnose incidence and severity, as well as physical and chemical characteristics. The application of copper phosphite can control anthracnose incidence by 38% and severity by 49.5%. The frequency of phosphite application does not affect anthracnose intensity. FCu1 phosphite application in ‘Prata-Anã’ banana bunches, as well as eight phosphite applications increases fresh mass loss. Phosphite application frequency affected the chemical characteristics of banana fruits.

The umbuzeiro is a native Brazilian semi-arid plant with great agroindustrial potential. The characterization of the fruit, as well as the development or improvement of technologies for value aggregation are fundamental for its conservation, dissemination and culinary expansion. The objective was to characterize physically and chemically fruits of umbu and to define the access with greater commercial potential. A completely randomized design was used, with 10 replications, in a total of 4 accessions of umbuzeiro. The fruits were selected prioritizing uniformity of fruit size and maturation stage. Fruit peel color was analyzed; diameter and length; mass of the fruit, the bark, the pulp and the seed; firmness of the fruit, soluble solids contents; pH; titratable acidity and solids/acidity ratio. The values of the pulp yield and the technological index were determined. Significance was verified for all variables, except for soluble solids and pH. The average value of the titratable acidity was 1.3 mg of citric acid 100 mL-1 of juice. The diameter of the fruits varied between 4.0 and 4.5 cm. Fruit mass varied from 33.00 to 43.62 g and access to EPAMIG-C06 was the heaviest. The accesses EPAMIG-C06 and EPAMIG-C18 presented the highest technological index. Based on the results, it was concluded that the accesses present potential to the pulp industry due to the size and characteristics of the fruits. The umbu accesses under study presented small variation for solubility and pH. For in natura consumption and/or processing, the access EPAMIG-C06 stands out due to attributes of commercial interest.

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the modified atmosphere under refrigeration for 28 days in the Atemoya Gefner. Study Design: Experiment 1 and 2 was installed in a completely randomized design, in a factorial 1x4 and 2x8, respectively. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in a cold chamber at the State University of Montes Claros, Brazil, between July and August 2018. Methodology: In the first, the percentage of fruits that presented cold injury (CI) in unpackaged fruits and stored at 15°C for six days was visually evaluated. In the second experiment two pack were used and stored at 15°C and evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics. Results: In the first experiment, from the 2nd day 100% of the fruits showed CI that progressed to stage 3 on the 6th day of storage. This result justifies the need to store the atemoya under modified atmosphere under 15°C for 28 days. It was found at the end of 28 days, experiment two, that the packages 1 and 2 showed quality fruits, with characteristics of ripe fruits, with 22 °Brix average values, reduced titrable acidity, light green color peel and good lightness. The pack1 showed better weight maintenance, with 1.54% of fresh weight loss against 2.36% for pack2. Conclusion: There was a higher solubilization of total sugars and non-reducing sugars in pack1, being this the most indicated for atemoya fruits grown in northern Minas Gerais.

The objective of the present study was to determine the best phosphite source and concentration to control anthracnose and its effects on the physical and chemical characteristics of ‘Prata-anã’ banana. Bouquets of banana fruits were immersed in solutions containing different formulations of copper phosphite FCu1 (4% Cu + 20% P2O5), FCu2 (4% Cu + 22% P2O5) at concentrations of 0.5; 1.0, 1.5- and 2.0-mL L-1 and potassium phosphite FK (42% P2O5 + 27.7% K2O) at concentrations of 0.5; 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg L-1. Controls consisted of the application of pure water and Imazalil application (0.5 mL. L-1). Subsequently, anthracnose incidence and severity were evaluated every three days. The physical and chemical characteristics of fruits were evaluated at the end of the anthracnose intensity evaluation. The experimental design used was completely randomized. The results showed that the different phosphite sources FCu1, FCu2 and FK at the concentrations tested were not effective in controlling anthracnose. The physical and chemical characteristics of fruits were influenced by the different phosphite sources and concentrations applied. Fresh fruit mass loss is proportional to the applied phosphite concentration.