AbstractBACKGROUNDThe marketability of banana is limited by the rapid rate of ripening. However, the traditional post‐harvest technologies may not be desirable. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a reusable material for the food preservation industry.RESULTSThe nanocomposite‐based palladium (Pd)‐modified zeolite (Pd/zeolite) was prepared by impregnating Pd into zeolite. Pd/zeolite had a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller dinitrogen specific surface area of 475 m2 g−1 with crystal structure similar to Y‐zeolite. Transmission electron microscopy images showed the dispersion of Pd particles over the multi‐pore zeolite support. Pd/zeolite uniquely acted as an adsorbent and a catalyst and was able to remove ethylene even after reaching breakthrough point. To prove Pd/zeolite is reusable, a 99 ± 0.8% ethylene removal efficiency still remained even after five consecutive cycles with repeated use of Pd/zeolite. The presence of Pd/zeolite significantly decreased the ethylene concentration during 18 days of storage at 20 ± 2 °C.CONCLUSIONSPd/zeolite could delay the ripening of banana and improve its firmness and the peel color significantly. Findings indicated that the as‐prepared Pd/zeolite is an effective adsorbent/catalyst with high potential for practical application in ethylene removal, especially for the post‐harvest period. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry