Causes

• Increased respiration causes fruit to rot faster.Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
  
  Generally, the warmer the temperature, the faster fruit spoils. This is why fruit is usually stored in a refrigerator's crisper. Fast respiration of fruit is what causes it to spoil, and the warmer the temperature, the faster the fruit respirates. The key, though, is not to stop respiration altogether but to slow it enough to keep the fruit from spoiling. Sealing fruit in an airtight bag stops respiration altogether and causes the fruit to spoil much faster than even if they were respirating too quickly.
  
  

Ideal Storage

• Bananas should be kept separate from other fruits and vegetables.Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Bananas are one of the most sensitive fruits when them come in contact with fruits that emit a large amount of ethylene gas. Because of this, bananas need to be stored by themselves. There are products on the market that absorb ethylene gases and can be dropped into your vegetable crisper to help keep your fruits and vegetables from turning brown or spoiling. Bananas can be frozen then eaten for up to three months after they were purchased. The bananas likely will turn brown in the freezer but will not spoil.
  
  

Buy Fresh

• Bananas and other produce should be chosen last when shopping.Noel Hendrickson/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  One way to ensure your produce, including bananas, stays fresh is to purchase it at an establishment that stores it in the appropriate way and does not sell it past its peak freshness. In addition, when going to the grocery store or market, do all of your other shopping first, so when you put bananas into your basket, they are exposed to other foods for only a short time.
  
  

Containers

• Bananas are easy to take while on the go and can be kept fresh if stored properly.Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  Never store a banana in a sandwich bag. Because a sandwich bag cuts off all respiration, the banana will spoil quickly. Bananas are best kept in a refrigerator's crisper. The crisper lets in the right amount of ventilation to keep bananas fresh. Bananas kept in the refrigerator will brown but not spoil. When bananas are removed from the refrigerator, they are best kept in sealed -- but not airtight, reusable -- containers. These containers can be found at a discount department store or grocery store. If a banana is peeled but not eaten, it can be stored the same way but will brown, but not spoil, more quickly.