Quality-based assessment of natural ripening agents as alternatives to calcium carbide in ‘Latundan’ banana using mixed statistical methods

Abstract

Calcium carbide (CaC₂) is widely utilized for its affordability and efficiency in ripening fruits. However, it poses health risks, which makes natural ethylene-rich alternatives a safer choice. This study evaluated the effectiveness of natural ripening agents such as Gliricidia leaves, Calopo leaves, tomato fruit, and banana peel, as alternatives to CaC₂ in enhancing the postharvest quality of ‘Latundan’ banana (Musa × paradisiaca, AAB Group). Treated fruits were assessed for multiple quality parameters, including peel color, sensory firmness, chemical properties, organoleptic attributes, weight loss, shriveling, visual quality rating, disease incidence, and shelf life. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine treatment effects, followed by Tukey’s HSD test (p ≤ 0.05) for mean separation. For non-normally distributed variables, the Kruskal-Wallis test was applied. To further evaluate treatment similarities based on overall trait performance, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was conducted using Ward’s method and Euclidean distance on standardized trait means. Results showed that CaC₂ significantly enhanced ripening characteristics, followed closely by tomato fruit. Natural agents, particularly the leaves of Gliricidia and Calopo, and banana peel, provided moderate improvements across several parameters, while the untreated control consistently ranked lowest. Although CaC₂ induced rapid ripening, it resulted in earlier deterioration and a shorter shelf life. Moreover, HCA revealed three distinct clusters: (1) CaC₂ and tomato fruit, (2) Gliricidia and Calopo leaves, and banana peel, and (3) control. These findings support the use of natural agents, especially tomato fruit, as viable alternatives for inducing uniform ripening and maintaining acceptable postharvest quality in bananas.