Sodium selenite induced changes during ripening in post-harvest banana (Musa sapientum) fruits
Udar, N.S.; Modi, V.V.
Biofactors 2(4): 263-265
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0951-6433 PMID: 2177992 Document Number: 353473
The metabolic role of selenium, if any, in plant systems has received little attention, as opposed to animal and other systems where many studies have been performed. Post-harvest banana (Musa sapientum) fruits treated with 1 mM solutions of sodium selenite show an increase in the rate of ripening. Visually, typical ripening changes in colour, aroma and tissue softness were observed to occur earlier in sodium selenite-treated fruits as compared to controls. These results were substantiated biochemically, enzymologically and physiologically, showing a strong relationship of this phenomenon with the oxidative changes.