Clay as Potassium Permanganate Carrier for Banana Storage in Indonesia

Abstract

Clay is abundant in Indonesia. The objective of this experiment was to study usage of clay as potassium permanganate (KMn04) carrier during storage of banana var. Raja Bulu. Three levels of clay powder were used as treatment, i.e., 10 g, 30 and 50 g for six fingers of banana with three replicates. Results showed that clay powder effective as KMn04 carrier for storage of banana var. Raja Bulu. Level of clay powder 30 and 50 g significantly increased banana shelf life as indicated by skin color and hardness by 18 days after treatments, as compared to the control. Application of 30 g clay powder resulted in optimum banana storage as compared to other treatments. This experiment indicates that clay powder effective as KMn04 carrier.