IoT-enabled spoilage detection system for banana.

Banana (Musa spp.) is a highly perishable climacteric fruit that undergoes rapid physiological and biochemical changes after harvest, leading to significant postharvest losses. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of edible coatings, packaging systems, and an Internet of Things (IoT)–based monitoring system for detecting spoilage and improving the storage stability of Cavendish bananas. The experiment included four treatments consisting of Control, T1, T2, and T3 combined with two packaging systems (P1 and P2). Fruit quality during storage was assessed using physiological loss in weight (PLW %), peel colour (hue angle), and firmness, while environmental parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, and methane gas emission were continuously monitored using IoT sensors. Results showed that PLW % increased gradually during storage, but treated fruits exhibited lower weight loss compared to the control. Peel colour progressively changed from green to yellow across all treatments; however, T2 and T3 delayed colour change and maintained higher firmness for a longer duration, particularly under P2 packaging. IoT monitoring revealed that control fruits exhibited greater fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and methane emission, indicating higher metabolic activity and faster ripening. In contrast, coated treatments maintained more stable environmental conditions and showed comparatively lower methane emission during storage. Overall, the results demonstrated that the integration of edible coatings, suitable packaging, and IoT-based environmental monitoring can effectively delay ripening, improve storage stability, and provide a reliable approach for early spoilage detection and shelf-life prediction of Cavendish bananas.