Alternative respiration and heat production in ripening banana fruits (Musa paradisiaca van Mysore Kadali)

Abstract

The involvement of alternative respiration in thermogenesis during the ripening of banana {Musa paradisiaca var. Mysore Kadali) fruits, attached to a bunch, has been examined. The temperature of the youngest (unripened) banana fruit increased from 27·0±0·2°C to 30·8±0·1°C and the total respiration (in nmo1 oxygen min^-1 g^-1 dry wt.) increased from 1·39·6±5·5 to 167·3±7·0 at the fully ripened stage. Although the capacity for alternative respiration showed little change, the actual operation of this pathway increased from 38 to 73% (p= 0·38 to 0·73) during ripening. Similar results were obtained in fruits along the central axis at different stages of ripening. It is suggested that alternative respiration may contribute to the temperature rise observed in ripening banana fruit.