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. The drum-drying also produces about 2% more powder and also 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 before passing its expiration date.^[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, because of its high concentration of banana essence, 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] It was later discovered that the banana powder also increased cell growth, which allowed more rapid healing of the area where ulcers had previously occurred.^[11]

References

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. 

v t e Bananas and plantains Cultivars Blue Java Cavendish Goldfinger Grand Nain Gros Michel Lady Finger Lacatan Latundan Pisang Awak Plantain Red Rhino Horn Saba Señorita Cultivar groups AA group AAA group (Cavendish group) AAA-EA subgroup (East African Highland bananas) AAAA group AAAB group AAA group (Plantain group) AABB group AB group ABB group ABBB group BB Group BBB Group Culinary usage Banana beer Banana bread Banana chips Banana cue Bananas Foster Banana fritter Banana ketchup Banana powder Banana pudding Banana sauce Banana split Banana wine Banania Bánh chuối Frozen banana Ginanggang Matoke Maruya Pisang goreng Tonto Turrón Related topics Banana paper Bananadine Banana and plantain diseases Category: Bananas