what is the reason for bananas to ripen

Bananas ripen due to the production of a plant hormone called ethylene gas. Ethylene acts as a signal that triggers a series of biochemical and physiological changes in the fruit, including the breakdown of chlorophyll (which makes the banana green), conversion of starches into sugars (making the banana sweeter), softening of the fruit, and changes in color from green to yellow with brown spots. This ripening process is regulated genetically and ethylene production increases as the banana approaches ripeness. Bananas also release moderate levels of ethylene that can accelerate the ripening of other fruits nearby. The process involves changes such as cell wall breakdown and starch hydrolysis. Overproduction of ethylene eventually leads to overripening and browning of the banana peel through enzymatic browning (polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity).