Evaluation of Methods for Determining Internal Gases in Banana Fruit

Two methods for sampling the gaseous atmosphere in the intercellular spaces of banana fruit pulp are described. One method removed the sample directly using a syringe, the other allowed equilibration of gases in the sample volume with the intercellular spaces by sealing a canula into the fruit. The effects of the methods used were shown to be small in relation to a treatment with TAL Pro-long coating which depressed the oxygen and elevated the ethylene contents of the fruit.