Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: rosalind dna on 04/02/2008 15:29:24

Title: Why do Bananas Skin's Go Black when they are over-ripe?
Post by: rosalind dna on 04/02/2008 15:29:24

To all Banana Eaters or Banana growers or Banana Scientists - peeps on TNS



(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg1.picturewizard.com%2F132664C%2F0%2FBlack_Bananas.jpg&hash=1a925993adc6a9efa26e7546d52da9f4)


Why do Bananas go Black when they are over ripe - is it because of the chemicals in the bananas
which make some or all of the vegetables and fruit ripen too fast or go rotten,


(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi27.tinypic.com%2F289zm2r.png&hash=ea77464cbbcf7447a6d3fe38093982f8)  (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi32.tinypic.com%2F33azcyh.jpg&hash=55987c3cd7bd003e5adfd43aeedcb970)

Because we can eat the green (under ripe) and yellow Bananas with no worries, that's raw or cooked?

I do know that when I buy bananas not to put them in the fruit bowl or in the
fridge as they'll make everything go off.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Title: Why do Bananas Skin's Go Black when they are over-ripe?
Post by: paul.fr on 05/02/2008 07:14:30

These may help
why do bananas get brown spots (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=6291.0)

bruised bananas (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=7181.0)

Title: Why do Bananas Skin's Go Black when they are over-ripe?
Post by: JnA on 05/02/2008 07:39:58

bananas that are like that can be peeled (dipped in chocolate if you like) and then frozen for a yummy treat.

Title: Why do Bananas Skin's Go Black when they are over-ripe?
Post by: SquarishTriangle on 01/03/2008 05:42:28

I love green bananas and frozen bananas...but I can't stand them once they're yellow or any more ripe.

Title: Re: Why do Bananas Skin's Go Black when they are over-ripe?
Post by: Monox D. I-Fly on 15/01/2019 02:33:29

Quote from: rosalind dna on 04/02/2008 15:29:24

I do know that when I buy bananas not to put them in the fruit bowl or in the
fridge as they'll make everything go off.

Huh? Never knew that bananas can spread their rottenness to other fruits. How can such thing happens?

Title: Re: Why do Bananas Skin's Go Black when they are over-ripe?
Post by: evan_au on 15/01/2019 06:19:47

Quote from: Monox D. I-Fly

Never knew that bananas can spread their rottenness to other fruits. How can such thing happens?

Fruit releases gases when they are ripening.  These gases can cause other fruit to ripen faster, if they follow the same chemical cues.

Leave them too long, and they will become overripe.

Bananas ripening is triggered by ethylene gas.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripening#Ripening_agents

(mod edit: sorry evan_au, ethylene is not the same as acetylene--I have removed that false tidbit from your otherwise informative post :) )

Title: Re: Why do Bananas Skin's Go Black when they are over-ripe?
Post by: Monox D. I-Fly on 15/01/2019 07:28:11

Quote from: evan_au on 15/01/2019 06:19:47

Quote from: Monox D. I-Fly

Never knew that bananas can spread their rottenness to other fruits. How can such thing happens?

Fruit releases gases when they are ripening.  These gases can cause other fruit to ripen faster, if they follow the same chemical cues.

That means some fruits are immune to this?

Title: Re: Why do Bananas Skin's Go Black when they are over-ripe?
Post by: evan_au on 15/01/2019 18:09:52

Quote from: Monox D. I-Fly

That means some fruits are immune to (ripening)?

Yes, some fruits only mature while attached to the whole plant.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripening#List_of_ripening_and_non-ripening_fruits