The natural impact of banana inflorescences (Musa acuminata) on human nutrition

Abstract

Banana inflorescences are popularly known as 'navels,' and they are used in Brazil as nutritional complements. However, the nutritional value of banana inflorescences (male flowers and bracts) has never been studied. Therefore, plant material of Musa acuminata, cultivar "ouro", was collected in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, and then submitted to chemical procedures to determine its nutritional composition. The experiment was arranged a completely randomized design and performed in triplicate. The sample composition analysis showed percentual average value for moisture, protein, fat and ash as 8.21, 14.50, 4.04 and 14.43, respectively. The dehydrated inflorescences were found to contain a significant nutritive complement based on their high content of potassium (5008.26 mg / 100 g) and fiber 49.83% (lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses) revealing important functional and nutritional properties. In a parallel evaluation, the anatomical study revealed key elements for the recognition of Musa acuminata when reduced to fragments.

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of extracts of banana inflorescences (Musa cavendishii)

“…The mean value for lipids was lower than the value of 6.80 g/ kg, which was obtained by Borges, Pereira, and Lucena (2009) for green banana flour. The level of the total amount of dietary fiber in the present study was similar to the amount of insoluble fiber (498.30 g/kg dry basis) obtained by Fingolo et al (2012) for the inflorescence of the Musa acuminata.…”

“…The moisture content was close to that found in the banana peel (894.70 g/kg) (Gondim, Moura, Dantas, Medeiros, & Santos, 2005). The crude protein content was lower than that found by Gondim et al (2005) in the banana peel (19.60 g/kg), and lower than that found in the banana inflorescence, Musa acuminata (17.90 g/kg), by Fingolo, Braga, Vieira, Moura, and Kaplan (2012).…”

“…The results of the chemical composition of the banana inflorescence showed a high ash content. According to Fingolo et al (2012), the main mineral present in the banana inflorescence, as well as in banana, is potassium. The content of non-fibrous carbohydrates differed from the value found by Coelho, Mata, and Braga (2001) for the palm of the banana pseudostem (16.30 g/kg).…”

Spore germination and early gametophyte development of Platycerium wandae (Polypodiaceae) from Papua, Indonesia

“…First boiled to reduce its astringent taste, it is then cooked as a vegetable served with peanut sauce as pecel, or with seasoned grated coconut as urap, or with coconut milk as gulai sayur. Chemical analysis of M. acuminata inflorescences (male bud and bracts) by Fingolo et al (2012) revealed their considerable nutritional value, with high potassium and fiber and low calories. However, the male bud of M. balbisiana, rather than M. acuminata, is preferred by East Javanese because of its less astringent taste.…”

Critical levels and nutritional evaluation of irrigated “Prata-Anã” banana

“…The banana plant, besides being one of the most produced fruit, is also one of the most consumed in the world, due to its richness in vitamins and nutrients (Leite et al, 2010;Fingolo et al, 2012). On the other hand, for obtaining high yields, it demands adequate nutrient content in the soil and plants (Fontes et al, 2003;Weber et al, 2006;Hoffmann et al, 2010).…”