To Örebro University

This study is part of an extensive project that evaluated the effects of a natural ecosystem on a healthy bananacrop and the quality of its fruit. In particular, the study examined the influence of the maintenance of naturalbiodiversity (Atlantic forest) near a conventional banana crop on the metabolic profiling of ripe banana fruits.Results revealed differences between ripe fruits harvested from plants near the natural forest (Near-NF) andfruits harvested in areas distant from the natural forest (Distant-NF). A total of 76 metabolites were identified inripe banana fruits. Bananas harvested from Near-NF plot showed increased levels ofγ-aminobutyric acid andreduced levels of putrescine compared with fruits from Distant-NF plot. Furthermore, fatty acids profile suggeststhat ripe fruits harvested from Near-NF plot had increased nutritional quality compared with fruits from Distant-NF plot. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that these metabolites, which potentially influence the nu-tritional/sensorial quality of ripe fruits, also contributed to distinguishing fruits harvested from Near-NF andDistant-NF plots. Collectively, the results suggest that the natural biodiversity surrounding a crop area couldbenefit ripe banana nutritional/sensorial quality. The maintenance of natural forest fragments thus appears to bea promising tool for increasing the quality of fruit crops.