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Supposedly, cold temperatures increase the permeability of certain cells in the skin of a banana. These cells contain enzymes that oxidize a compound also present in the skin of a banana, turning ithe skin brown. As a banana normally ripens on your countertop, a similar process occurs, producing the brown speckles ("honey spots"). The podcast at the link below will give you more details:
The skin turns brown or black faster in the refrigerator, but the banana meat itself does not ripen that much more. In fact, it is recommended that ripened bananas be frozen to preserve them even longer. The cold temperature of a refrigerator encourages an enzyme (polyphenyl oxidase), which is naturally found in the banana, to polymerise phenols in the banana skin into polyphenols. Polyphenols are similar to melanin, the pigment responsible for the color in our skin. This is what blackens the skin of the bananas. Despite the color, the cold temperature will keep bananas firmer than a banana that has been left at room temperature for the same amount of time. The enzymes that break the starch into sugar, which makes the banana soft and ripe, work better at room temperature.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoA banana turns brown in a refrigerator for the same reason a banana turns brown outside of the refrigerator - by oxidation. This means that the oxygen, which is naturally present in the air, combines with certain specific molecules in the banana. The chemical reaction between the oxygen and a chemical in the banana (creating polyphenol oxidase) turns the banana brown.
It is due to a defense mechanism in the fruit, which is activated when the fruit is cut from the tree.
There are three main factors involved in the ripening and browning process, they are: enzymes, oxygen and phenols. Enzymes are protein-like substances that speed up or initiate chemical reactions. Phenols are defensive mechanisms the plant uses to fend off insects and microbes. The specific enzyme is called polyphenoloxidase. When the banana is attacked, the phenols are activated in the presence of oxygen by this enzyme. In this process the brown color is produced as a side effect. The first time the banana is attacked is when it is cut from the tree. Exposure to cold air, certain gases, and physical damage of the fruit will hasten the process.
This defense mechanism explains why a banana's peel will turn brown faster in the refrigerator than if left a room temperature. The banana's fruit will not ripen as fast though in the refrigerator.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoKeeping bananas from turning brown, is tricky. Bananas continue to ripen even after harvest. This makes getting them to markets thousands of miles away easier.
Bananas, and other fruits and vegetables, ripen faster in the presence of ethylene gas. Problem is, bananas produce ethylene gas too. Ethylene is heavier than air, and increased temperature and moisture promote the production of ethylene. In a bowl or closed container, ethylene pools, hastening ripening (browning). While a counter top is open, ethylene still pools around the fruit.
If you want to keep your bananas fresh longer, hang them.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThe skin turns brown or black faster in the refrigerator, but the banana meat itself does not ripen that much more. In fact, it is recommended that ripened bananas be frozen to preserve them even longer. The cold temperature of a refrigerator encourages an enzyme (polyphenyl oxidase), which is naturally found in the banana, to polymerise phenols in the banana skin into polyphenols. Polyphenols are similar to melanin, the pigment responsible for the color in our skin. This is what blackens the skin of the bananas. Despite the color, the cold temperature will keep bananas firmer than a banana that has been left at room temperature for the same amount of time. The enzymes that break the starch into sugar, which makes the banana soft and ripe, work better at room temperature.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoFor some reason they do, people say you cant refrigerate bananas.
The truth is the peel only gets black but the bananas inside stay fresh.
Leaving them on your island will just end in it completely rotting to the core!
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThey start to turn brown because they cannot stand when they are in the freezer and they start to change colors such as brown.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agobecause it is in the air and not in the cold tempicher
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Would a banana rot faster than apple or a peach if left on the counter and why?
the bananas will rot on the counter in 2 weeks the bananas will rot on the counter in 2 weeks the bananas will rot on the counter in 2 weeks
Do bananas need to be refrigerated or are they just fine sitting there?
Bananas don't do well in the cold. they're better left sitting on the counter
Do bananas turn brown faster in the refrigerator or on the counter?
The banana in the refrigerator browned faster than the banana on the counter. The cold temperature makes a banana's skin brown faster. The banana in the refrigerator is still firm though, where as the banana on the counter is softer.
What food turns brown if left out?
Bananas, apples, pears, strawberries, celery, avocado, and potatoes all turn brown if left out for long enough.
What would happen to an apple that was cut and left out on the counter for an hour?
It starts to get brown and soft
Does frozen orange juice go bad if left on the counter to thaw?
Yes, if it's brown and smells, it's bad.
Will bananas brown faster in the refrigerator or the counter?
The skin turns brown or black faster in the refrigerator, but the banana meat itself does not ripen that much more. In fact, it is recommended that ripened bananas be frozen to preserve them even longer. The cold temperature of a refrigerator encourages an enzyme (polyphenyl oxidase), which is naturally found in the banana, to polymerise phenols in the banana skin into polyphenols. Polyphenols are similar to melanin, the pigment responsible for the color in our skin. This is what blackens the skin of the bananas. Despite the color, the cold temperature will keep bananas firmer than a banana that has been left at room temperature for the same amount of time. The enzymes that break the starch into sugar, which makes the banana soft and ripe, work better at room temperature.
If i left bananas on a counter for 6 months what kind of a mess would i have when i returned. i absent mindedly left bananas at our winter home and am concered.....?
Black mound, will look like melted food, covered with gray mold and perhaps, bugs and or spider webs. No big deal. Scrape it up and bury it outside in the flower or vegetable garden. Great for healthy soil.
How do you turn Green bananas yellow fast?
Place it in a cold space, such as a refrigerator. The skin turns brown or black faster in a refrigerator, but the banana meat itself does not ripen that much more. In fact, it is recommended that ripened bananas be frozen to preserve them even longer. The cold temperature of a refrigerator encourages an enzyme (polyphenyl oxidase), which is naturally found in the banana, to polymerise phenols in the banana skin into polyphenols. Polyphenols are similar to melanin, the pigment responsible for the color in our skin. This is what blackens the skin of the bananas. Despite the color, the cold temperature will keep bananas firmer than a banana that has been left at room temperature for the same amount of time. The enzymes that break the starch into sugar, which makes the banana soft and ripe, work better at room temperature.
Can you stop fruit from rotting?
You can not prevent fruit from rotting, but you can delay it. Bananas are best left out on the counter, but most other fruits, such as peaches, plums, apples,etc., are best left in the refrigerator. You can buy the least old fruits by feeling, smelling and looking at them. If peaches are ripe, the will look and feel firm with just a little give, the skin will be tight (no wrinkles), there will be no brown spots, and it will smell sweet and peachy where the stem comes out.
What could be eating some of my tomatoes and bananas left on counter at night. No mice droppings?
It could still be mice; they don't leave droppings everywhere they go. It could also be ants, roaches, or a number of other insects.
Are green bananas ripe?
No, green bananas are under ripe. Bananas go from green to yellow to brown (ripe).
