Banana powder

Banana powder is a powder made from processed bananas. It is used as a component for production of milk shakes and baby foods.[1][2] It is also used in the manufacture of various types of cakes and biscuits.[3]

Manufacture

Banana powder is formed by using banana pulp, which is mechanically chopped and then processed with hydraulic shear using a colloid mill, turning it into a paste. Sodium metabisulfite is then used to brighten the yellow color of the paste. The paste is then dried by either spray- or drum-drying, although the latter is more common, because none of the paste is lost while drying. Drum-drying also produces about 2% more powder and dries it more thoroughly.[3][4] Regardless of the drying process, banana powder can generally only stay fresh on the shelf for about a year.[5]

History

The use of banana powder in baby formula has been widespread since the very early 1900s as a method of keeping babies healthy.[6] In 1916 it was also considered to be one of the "important industries of the West Indies" during this period, along with dried banana "figs".[7]

The United Fruit Company began to produce a product named Melzo during the 1930s, in which banana powder was the main ingredient. Because of the useful properties of banana powder, Melzo was marketed as a "health food for children and old folks, as a corrective for certain indigestions, and as a revitalizer for all who are sluggish mentally or physically".[2]

Usage

General uses

Banana powder has been found to be a "major source of carbohydrate and calories". While it is generally low as a source of protein, the beneficial ingredients of the powder are still "markedly superior to that of other fruits".[8] The powder has also been found to be useful as a general treatment for dyspepsia (indigestion).[9]

Scientific uses

In 1984, scientists from India were able to extract part of the "antiulcer compounds" found in banana powder, which ended up creating a type of powder that was "300 times more active" in preventing ulcers in the stomach.[10] Banana powder was later found to increase cell growth, which allowed more rapid healing of the area where ulcers had previously occurred.[11]

See also

References
  1. "The Hindu Business Line : BARC develops tech to make biscuits, baby food from banana". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  2. Scofield Wilson, David (1999). Rooted in America: foodlore of popular fruits and vegetables. Univ. of Tennessee Press. pp. 28–29. ISBN 9781572330535. banana powder
  3. H. Hui, Yiu; Stephanie Clark (2007). Handbook of Food Products Manufacturing: Principles, Bakery, Beverages, Cereals, Cheese, Confectionary, Fats, Fruits, and Functional Foods. Wiley-Interscience. p. 873. ISBN 9780470049648.
  4. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1989). Utilization of Tropical Foods: Trees. Food & Agriculture Org. pp. 33–34. ISBN 9789251027769.
  5. Association of Food Technologists (2007). "Packaging and storage studies on spray dried ripe banana powder under ambient conditions". Journal of Food Science. 44: 16–19.
  6. Pamphlets on Biology: Kofoid collection, Volume 147. 1900. pp. 12–15.
  7. United States. Bureau of Manufactures (1916). Commerce reports, Volume 4. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, United States Dept. of Commerce. p. 290.
  8. Sri Avinashilingam Home Science College (1976). The Indian journal of nutrition and dietetics, Volume 13. Sri Avinashilingam Home Science College for Women. pp. 218–224.
  9. Al-Achi, Antoine (2008). An introduction to botanical medicines: history, science, uses, and dangers. ABC-CLIO. p. 80. ISBN 9780313350092.
  10. Information, Reed Business (6 September 1984). "Rats with ulcers go bananas". New Scientist: 22.
  11. R.K. Goela; Saroj Guptab; R. Shankarc; A.K. Sanyal (1986). "Anti-ulcerogenic effect of banana powder (Musa sapientum var. paradisiaca) and its effect on mucosal resistance". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 18 (1): 33–44. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(86)90041-3. PMID 3821133.

Further reading
  • Wang, Juan; Li, Yuan Zhi; Chen, Ren Ren; Bao, Jin Yong; Yang, Gong Ming (January 2007). "Comparison of volatiles of banana powder dehydrated by vacuum belt drying, freeze-drying and air-drying". Food Chemistry. 104 (4): 1516. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.02.029.
  • von Meysenbug, L.; Fine, Archie (May 1936). "Banana powder and the fecal flora of infants". The Journal of Pediatrics. 8 (5): 630. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(36)80163-2.
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