1. TITLE PACKAGING OF BANANA

2. Introduction Packaging of Banana India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables It will have significance only when fruits and vegetables reach the consumer in fresh and palatable condition at a reasonable price Due to heavy post harvest losses, a considerable gap between production and availability of fruits and vegetables to consumers Post-harvest losses are occurring in the period between harvesting and consumption An urgent need to adopt proper post harvest management practices by adopting improved packaging, handling and efficient transportation methods

3. Packaging of Banana Introduction cont….. Packaging is required to keep fruits, vegetables and root crops in good condition until it is soled and consumed Packaging serves as an efficient handling unit to carry produce from field to consumer The package should also protect the produce against rotting Packages must protect against possible damage

4. Packaging of Banana Definition of Food Packaging Food packaging is defined as a mean or system by which a fresh produce or processed product will reach from the production centre to the ultimate consumer in safe and sound condition at an affordable price

5. Packaging of Banana Functions of Packaging Material Two main functions of packaging are: 1.To assemble the produce into convenient units for handling. 2.To protect the produce during distribution, storage and marketing.

6. Packaging of Banana Serves as an efficient handling unit Protects from mechanical damage Protects against moisture loss Provides clean and sanitary storage To prevent pilferage Provides sales and service motivation Reduces cost of transport and marketing Packaging materials used to serve the following purposes

7. Packaging of Banana Packaging Materials for Fresh Produce 1. Basket made of woven strips of leaves, bamboo, plastic etc. 2. Sacks: flexible, made of plastic or jute. i)Bags: small size sack ii)Nets: sacks made of open mesh 3. Wooden crates 4. Fibreboard boxes i)Solid fibreboard boxes ii)Corrugated fibreboard boxes 5. Plastic crates 6. Biodegradable plastics 7. New innovations in packaging of fruits, vegetables and root crops 8. Pallet boxes and shipping containers

8. Packaging of Banana Packaging Materials for Process Products Packaging for processed products is of several types: 1. Glass containers 2. Metal cans 3. Aluminium foil 4. Plastic materials 5. Collapsible containers 6. Composite containers

9. Packaging of Banana Cushioning Materials and Wrap Cushioning material used for packaging fruits and vegetables are dry grass, paddy straw, leaves, saw dust, paper shreds etc It should dissipate the heat of respiration of the produce It should be free from infection and should be physiologically inactive Moulded pulp tray, honeycomb portion, cell pack are used replacing the cushioning material Cassia leaves are most effective in reducing physiological loss in weight (PLW), spoilage, retaining fruit colour and chemical quality

10. Packaging of Banana Cushioning Materials and Wrap One of the newest trends in produce packaging is the shrink- wrapping of individual produce items Shrink-wrapping with an engineered plastic wrap can reduce shrinkage, protect the produce from disease, reduce mechanical damage and provide a good surface for stick-on labels

11. Packaging of Banana Packing Containers should not be filled either too loosely or too tightly for best results Loose products may vibrate against each other and cause bruising While over-packing results in compression bruising Proper filling along with cushioning can minimize rubbing damage

12. Packaging of Banana Conventionally bananas are transported as whole bunches wrapped with banana leaves Use of polyethylene film bags for wrapping whole bunches for transport is found to be most suitable to reduce wastage For export purpose bananas are packed in telescopic type corrugated fibre board boxes of different dimensions with good ventilated holes The banana hands packed into the boxes in the lengthwise manner with their cushion resting on the bottom of the box and fruit finger tips pointing towards the lid Stacking of these boxes is done lengthwise.

13. Packaging of Banana Special Care in Packaging All freshly harvested produce are living entities They respire till their senescence The packaging must be provided with enough vents The produce can respire appropriately and remains fresh and alive

14. Packaging of Banana Banana Transport as Bulk & Loose Packaged

15. Packaging of Banana Banana Transport in Carton Banana carton from Ecuador: note the perforated polyethylene film. Banana cartons from the Dominican Republic Source:www.tis-gdv.de

16. Packaging of Banana Banana Hand In plastic crate Banana in Basket

17. Packaging of Banana Banana in Fibre Board Boxes for Ripening

18. Packaging of Banana Food packaging is a system by which the fresh produce or processed one will reach from the production centre to the ultimate consumer in safe and sound condition at an affordable cost It serves two basic objectives, i.e., marketing and logistics Adopting improved packaging, handling and transportation methods during distribution and marketing can successfully avert huge post harvest losses The product requirements, the marketing system and the personnel preference will determine the type of packaging to use Let Us Sum Up

19. Packaging of Banana