Effects of packaging materials (metalized or polylactic acid, PLA, based pouches), storage temperatures (30-50°C) and time (up to 6 months) on quality of solar-dried banana were investigated. At 30°C in both packaging materials, change in moisture content, water activity (aw ) and hardness were minimal while darkening of the surface color progressed. No microbial spoilage was found. Hedonic scores of color, flavor, taste, texture and overall acceptance of the 6th month aged samples were lowest (p≤0.05). Based on the sensory test, product packed in both packaging materials had shelf life of 5 months at 30°C. Higher storage temperature greatly induced time-dependent decrease in moisture content and a w with an increase in hardness, especially for the samples in PLA-based pouches. Fractional conversion model was used to predicted time-dependent change in total color difference (ΔE) (R2 ≥ 0.84). Temperature dependence of the rate constant followed Arrhenius-type relationship (R2 ≥ 0.99).
