PH
Bananas produce ethylene, a natural plant hormone involved in fruit ripening.
Keeping ethylene-sensitive produce close to strong ethylene-producing fruits can cause some foods to ripen or deteriorate sooner.
If you're trying to extend storage life, separating produce according to its ethylene sensitivity can help.
On the other hand, that same effect can be useful when you intentionally want certain fruit to ripen faster.
© UC Davis Postharvest Research and Extension Center