Monitoring of banana deteriorations using intelligent-packaging containing brazilien extract (Caesalpina sappan L.)

Indonesia is one of the countries producing subtropical plants and fruits. The application of postharvest handling technology which is less reliable will change the quality of fruits. Some equipments is therefore required to know ripeness condition of fruits. This research aims at detecting the freshness of climacteric fruits such as banana with the use of brazilien extracts as a colorimetric indicator. Measurements were conducted to determine the influence of pH variations on the change in color of brazilien extract, the stability of the color of the film, respiration rate and vitamin C of banana. The results of this study indicate that the color stability of the film indicator containing sappan wood extract stored in the exicator for 6 days shows a color change from yellow to orange. Furthermore, from the observation result of banana deterioration for 6 days, it is obtained vitamin C content of 92.65 + 2.1 mg / 100 g, an increase in pH 5.1, an increase in texture profile is 10.1 mm / 10s, an increase in respiration rate is CO₂ levels. It also indicates that banana deterioration is followed by color change of indicator film from yellow to dark red.