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]

References

^ "The Hindu Business Line : BARC develops tech to make biscuits, baby food from banana". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
^ ^a ^b Scofield Wilson, David (1999). Rooted in America: foodlore of popular fruits and vegetables. Univ. of Tennessee Press. pp. 28–29. ISBN 9781572330535. banana powder
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1989). Utilization of Tropical Foods: Trees. Food & Agriculture Org. pp. 33–34. ISBN 9789251027769.
^ 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.
^ Pamphlets on Biology: Kofoid collection, Volume 147. 1900. pp. 12–15.
^ United States. Bureau of Manufactures (1916). Commerce reports, Volume 4. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, United States Dept. of Commerce. p. 290.
^ 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.
^ Al-Achi, Antoine (2008). An introduction to botanical medicines: history, science, uses, and dangers. ABC-CLIO. p. 80. ISBN 9780313350092.
^ Information, Reed Business (6 September 1984). "Rats with ulcers go bananas". New Scientist: 22. {{cite journal}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
^ 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.^{[dead link]}