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Hemicellulose is key in determining the fate of plant cell wall in almost all growth and developmental stages. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding its involvement in the development and ripening of banana fruit. This study investigated changes in the temporal-spatial distribution of various hemicellulose components, hemicellulose content, activities of the main hydrolysis enzymes, and transcription level of the main hemicellulose-related gene families in banana peels. Both hemicellulose and xylan contents were positively correlated to the fruit firmness observed in our previous study. On the contrary, the xylanase activity was negatively correlated to xylan content and the fruit firmness. The vascular bundle cells, phloem, and cortex of bananas are abundant in xyloglucan, xylan, and mannan contents. Interestingly, the changes in the signal intensity of the CCRC-M104 antibody recognizing non-XXXG type xyloglucan are positively correlated to hemicellulose content. According to RNA-Seq analysis, xyloglucan and xylan-related genes were highly active in the early stages of growth, and the expression of MaMANs and MaXYNs increased as the fruit ripened. The abundance of plant hormonal and growth-responsive cis -acting elements was detected in the 2 kb upstream region of hemicellulose-related gene families. Interaction between hemicellulose and cell wall-specific proteins and MaKCBP1/2, MaCKG1, and MaHKL1 was found. The findings shed light on cell wall hemicellulose's role in banana fruit development and ripening, which could improve nutrition, flavor, and reduce postharvest fruit losses. • Hemicellulose and xylan concentration positively linked with banana fruit firmness. • Xyloglucan recognized by CCRC-M104 was positively related to hemicellulose content. • The MaXYNs and MaMANs were increased significantly after fruit ripening. • The hormonal-responsive cis- elements were detected in high numbers. • The hemicellulose-related proteins strongly interacted with some growth-related ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Relationship for ripening of bananas at 3 temperature and 4 ethylene levels was assessed. [•] The regression predicted scenarios for banana transport in Australia and Costa Rica to Europe. [•] Ambient trucking in Australia may occur in winter and summer at ≤0.90 and ≤0.58μL/L ethylene. [•] Shipping from Costa Rica to Europe may similarly occur at ≤0.04 and ≤0.002μL/L ethylene. [•] Technology available to reduce ethylene suggests refrigerated transport is not necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Hormones and cell wall epitopes are compared in embryogenic and non-embryogenic banana calli. [•] Indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid and zeatin riboside are more abundant in embryogenic cells. [•] Fucosylated xyloglucans are more abundant in the cell walls of embryogenic cells. [•] The AGP epitopes JIM16, MAC204 and MAC207 are related to embryogenic competence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]