A review on banana flower: Nutritional composition, processed products and health benefits

Introduction

The banana (Musa paradisiaca) grows best in a humid tropical environment with an optimum temperature 27˚C during the day and minimum temperature is not below 13˚C. India is the world’s largest procedure of banana with 14.20 million tons and it is grown almost in every state. among the states Tamilnadu ranks first in banana cultivation with a production area of 118.04 hectors in the crop year 2013-2014.the by-products of banana cultivation are estimated at about 220 tones of plant mass per hector. Flower of the banana plant (Musa acuminate Colla) is often consumed as a vegetable in many Asia countries such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippinnes. Banana blossom is a popular dish in Sri Lanka. It is consumed as a curry as well as a boiled or deep fried salad with rice and wheat bread. It is generally valued as a fiber-rich source. The banana is rich in phytochemicals like vitamins, flavonoids, and protein. A, C and E. Banana flowers have tremendous nutritional valve. They are a good source of fiber and protein. The flowers contain a class of photochemical known as saponins. Saponins lower bad cholesterol, boost our immunity infection and are through to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. They also have antioxidant activity as so can reduce our risk of chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease. Banana flowers are also an excellent source of flavonoids. These found in many plant-based foods help prevent damage to DNA cells by neutralizing free radicals. They also help lower cholesterol, are anti –inflammatory, anticancer and anti-aging. Banana blossom is usually considered as a byproduct of banana cultivation. Banana blossom is a tremendous nutritional value and health effects. It is consumed as a vegetable either raw or cooked by some ethnics in the Asian region. Instead of being treated as an agriculture waste banana blossom can be utilized as an ingredient in food formulations. Although India is the leading country in banana cultivation the nutritional properties and health benefits of banana blossom are less focused by researchers. Banana blossom is considered as an indigenous food and its consumptions is limited due to the tedious preparations procedure.^[1], ^[2], ^[3], ^[4], ^[5], ^[6], ^[7], ^[8]

Nyunt et al., 2012). Banana flowers are also an excellent source of flavonoids. These found in many plant-based foods help prevent damage to DNA cells by neutralizing free radicals. They also help lower cholesterol, are anti –inflammatory, anticancer and anti-aging. (Debabandya et al., 2010). Banana peels are properly exploited and process, they could be a high-quality and cheap source of carbohydrates and minerals for livestock (Anhwange 2008). More Bananapseudostem is a byproduct of banana cultivation and is known to health beneficial effect (Jamuna et al., 2012). Energy is released from carbohydrate, protein and fat and are the main source of energy. AOAC method was used to estimate the nutritional facts of banana blossom. The energy present in banana blossom was reported as 51 kcal/100g (Shilpi et al.,2017). ^[9], ^[10], ^[11], ^[12], ^[13], ^[14], ^[15] The carbohydrate content in banana blossom is 9.9g/100g (Sharmila et al.,2017). Protein was, determined by Kjeldhal method and therafter a conversion factor of 6.25 was used to calculate the total nitrogen to crude protein. 12.5% of protein was reported /100g of banana flower (Sheng et al.,2010). 0.6g of crude fat content was determined by soxhlet fat extraction method per 100g of banana flower. (Elaveniya et al.,2014). The mineral content of banana flower is Magnesium 34.13mg, Potassium 571.33mg, Calcium 33.27mg, Phosphorus 53.27mg, Iron 43.44mg, Sulphur 27.03mg, Mercury 0.03mg and Arsenic 0.20mg (Sheng et al.,2010). Crude fiber was estimated by acid alkali digestion method shows 5.7g of dietary fiber in 100g of banana flower (Elaveniya et al.,2014). 5.74g total dietary fiber (TDF) was determined according to the AOAC enzymatic gravimetric method (Sheng et al.,2010). The nutritive composition of Poovan flower, moisture content 90.1g, protein - 1.99g, fat-0.43g, Ash-3.21g, crude fiber - 12.82g, carbohydrates - 95.23g. And the nutritive value of Monthan flower was moisture - 90.23g, protein - 1.49g, fat - 0.54g, Ash - 2.42g, crude fiber - 12.23g, carbohydrate - 95.61g this shows a similar nutritional composition of both variety.^[16], ^[17], ^[18], ^[19] (Krishna et al.,2016). The flavonoids have gained considerable interest as they are confirmed to be very effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering the oxidation of LDL. total flavonoids in Baxijiao banana and paradiiaca flower is 5.90mg and 5.27mg. (Gey et al.,1992).

The banana blossoms are good sources of minerals. The samples were digested in HNO3/HClO4 for mineral determination. The mineral content (calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, lead, arsenic, mercury and sulphur) of each sample was determined by using a Varian Spectra atomic absorption spectrophotometer (model 220, Varian, US), and phosphorus was measured by spectrophotometric methods of AOAC (1995), the instrument was calibrated with known standards and samples analyzed at corresponding wavelengths. (Sheng et al., 2010). Calcium 56mg, iron 56.4mg, copper 13mg, potassium 553.3mg, magnesium 48.7mg and vitamin E 1.07mg (Shilpa et al.,2017).^[20], ^[21], ^[22], ^[23], ^[24], ^[25], ^[26], ^[27], ^[28], ^[29], ^[30]

The minerals content of banana flower of two cultivars Musa paradisiaca and Musa chiliocarpa.The minerals content in banana flowers were determined by using SPECTROXEPOSEDXRF spectrometer at department of physics, niversity of Mandalay. The mineral content of Musa paradisiaca, Aluminum 0.1307%, silicon 0.1120%, phosphorus 0.3569% ,sulfur 0.6860%, chlorine 0.9821%, potassium 5.138%, calcium 0.5667%, magnesium 0.0106%, iron 0.p1547%. And the minerals content of Musa chiliocarpa is aluminum 0.1183%, silicon,0. 1658%, phosphorus 0.2256%, sulfur 0.0555%, chlorine 1. 485%, potassium 5.390%, calcium 0.4667%, magnesium 0.0107%, iron 0.0202%. (Khin et al.,2012).

The comparision of mineral composition of Baxijiao banana and paradisiaca banana flower.mineral content of Baxijiao banana flower. 34.13mg of magnesium, 571.33mg of potassium, 33.27mgbof calcium, 53.27mg of phosphorus, 43.44mg of iron, 13.60mg of copper, 27.03mg of sulphur, 0.03mg of Mercury, 0.20mg of arsenic and 0.35mg of plumbum. The mineral content of paradisiaca banana flower, magnesium 48.73mg, potassium 553.3mg, calcium 56mg, phosphorus 73.33mg,iron 56.4mg, copper 13mg, sulphur 37mg,Mercury 0.03mg and plumbum 0.34mg. (Shung et al.,2010)

Products of Banana Flower

Health Benefits of Banana Blossom

Banana flower is a good source of carbohydrate, protein, and micronutrients. They are used in the treatment of Diabetics, breast cancer, Inhibits AGEs formation, Helps in maintaining menstrual cycle, Helpful in infection treatment, wound healing and inflammatory bowel diseases. prevent diverticulosis and diverticukitis, lower the risk of colon cancer and breast cancer and prevent obesity (Kanchana et al.,2005).

Conclusion

Banana flower is also called known as banana blossom or banana heart. Banana blossom is highly nutritious edible flower, Banana blossom rich in phytochemicals like vitamins, flavonoids, and proteins and antioxidants properties which are helps to enhance the human resistant in various diseases. To increase a shelf life of the banana blossoms, they are usually dehydrated. Instead of being treated as an agricultural waste banana blossom can be utilized as an ingredient in food. Banana blossom contains abundant dietary fiber (5.74g/100g) which helps to maintain our body health, to reduce the cholesterol level and protects our body from obesity. So many products are prepared using this banana blossoms are blossom coffee, blossom dehydrated vegetable, blossom incorporated chocolate, and in the preparation of curry, salad. They help in maintaining and functioning of body tissues.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.