119 Efficacy of Packaging and Storage Conditions in Mitigating Physiological Changes and Extending Shelf Life of Nangka and Abu Bananas A. Sagran and N.M. Saruan R. Ow, A.S. Firdaus and C. Somasundram Institute of Graduate Studies and The Centre for Research in Biotechnology Department of Media Studies for Agriculture (CEBAR) Faculty of Arts & Social Science University of Malaya University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur 50603 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Malaysia Keyword: storage condition, packaging, Abu bananas, Nangka bananas Abstract The perishable nature of bananas necessitates proper postharvest practices to reduce losses. This study determined the most effective packaging and storage condition to extend the shelf life of Abu and Nangka bananas. Fruits were packed using polyethylene plastic (PE), cling wrap (CW) or whole banana leaf (BL) and stored for 10 days in a cold room (4-6°C), glass house (24-32°C), room temperature (25-27°C), and immersed in water (25-27°C). Physiological changes were assessed by measuring pulp firmness, total soluble solids (TSS) and total titratable acidity (TTA). Results showed that at the end of storage, bananas stored in cold room remained green with no significant changes in pulp firmness, TSS and TTA. At room temperature, only Abu bananas packed in PE and Nangka bananas packed in PE and CW remained green after the 10-day storage period. The packaging and storage conditions established from this study could be introduced to the Orang Asli community as the technology can improve their crop shelf life therefore benefiting them economically. INTRODUCTION Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world as it is a cheap source of carbohydrate and rich source of potassium, calcium, antioxidants and other micronutrients (Mishra et al., 2010). Malaysia produces nearly 535000 metric t of bananas yearly. Bananas were listed as the six important fruit crops in the National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs 2010-2012). In Malaysia, 250000 ha of land is used to cultivate fruits and 11% (27500 ha) covers the plantation of bananas (Husain and William, 2011). The significant loss in food value of banana due to improper postharvest management practices often lead to economic loss. According to FAO (2013), improper handling coupled with insufficient temperature maintenance results in postharvest losses especially in developing countries. Inappropriate packaging materials further increases postharvest losses. In Malaysia, the postharvest losses range between 10 and 40%, a direct result of poor postharvest handling (FAMA, 2009). Generally with proper harvesting methods which include minimized rough handling, sorting out spoiled or contaminated fruits and effective storage conditions will assist in maintaining the quality of the fruit. Storage life can be extended if the storage during postharvest is optimum. This study was conducted in Kampung PayaMendoi, Kampung Kuala Terboi and Kampung Paya Mengkuang, Kuala Krau, Pahang. The community living in the village comprises of Orang Asli from the Jah Huttribe, which is one of the native tribe who settledinPahang, Malaysia. The community in Kampung Paya Mendoi plants Nangka and Abu bananas as one of their source of income by selling their harvest to the nearest morning or night market. The communities suffer losses in their harvest due to improper postharvest management. The reduction of losses through better postharvest management would result in an increase of economic gains of the community. Bananas have high degree of relative perishability but when handled properly it has a potential shelf life of Proc. II nd Southeast Asia Symp. on Quality Management in Postharvest Systems Eds.: A.L. Acedo Jr. and S. Kanlayanarat Acta Hort. 1088, ISHS 2015