POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF 'MACA' BANANA CULTIVARS IN BELEM REGION-PA

The present study aimed to characterize the physical and physical-chemical properties and perform sensory evaluation of ripe fruits of three banana cultivars of the subgroup 'Maca' at different stages of maturation. Bunches of Caipira, Thap Maeo, and BRS Tropical cultivars were harvested at stage 2 of color peel (green-mature) and stored at room temperature. They were evaluated at color peel stages 2, 3, 5, 7 with respect to length and diameter of the fruits. The following properties of the pulp were investigated: firmness, pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity and sugar concentration (reduced, not reduced and total). Fully ripe fruits were also analyzed regarding the sensory acceptance through the attributes aroma, pulp color, texture, and flavor of fruit. As the ripening progressed, acidity, soluble solids and sugars increased, factors responsible for the fruit flavor, as well as the decrease in fruit firmness and the pH reduction were observed for all cultivars. With respect to sensory analysis, the Tropical and Thap Maeo cultivars presented the highest average scores for all sensory attributes evaluated.