This work had, as objective, to verify the influence of refrigeration temperature and bunch age on the conservation and post-harvest quality of the 'Prata Anã' banana produced in the North of Minas Gerais, looking towards exportation. 'Prata Anã' banana tree fruits were used originating from the municipal district of Nova Porteirinha, MG. The crop was harvested in the 16th, 18th and 20th weeks after the floral emission. From the clusters picked, the second bunches was used, separated in clusters with 5 fruits, washed and weighed (18 kg). Soon after, the fruits were wrapped with polyethylene packing of low density with 50mm of thickness under partial vacuum, conditioned in cardboard boxes and distributed on palets. After being wrapped and put on paletes, the fruits were transported to EPAMIG/CTNM, where they were stored in refrigeration chambers at 10 and 12ºC with a relative humidity of 95% for a period of 35 days, being analyzed before and after the refrigeration. The storage of 'Prata Anã' bananas, coming from 16, 18 and 20 week-old bunches, for 35 days at temperatures of 10 and 12ºC of did not promote "chilling injury" in the fruits. The 10ºC temperature was more effective in preventing the evolution of the coloration of the peel of bananas coming from 18 week-old bunches than the 12ºC temperature, while temperatures of 10 and 12ºC were equally efficient in the contention of the change of color of bananas coming from 16 week-old bunches. Fruits coming from 20 week-old bunches matured non-uniformly during refrigerated storage.
Refrigeration; bunch age
