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

Abstract

India is the world’s largest producer of banana with 13.90 million tons followed by Uganda (10.14 million tons). Banana blossom also known as a banana heart, is a fleshy purple - skinned flower shaped like tear, which grows at the end of banana fruit cluster. Now days researchers aimed to addressing dietary related diseases through promotion of food products enriched with high protein, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Banana blossom is rich source of nutrients and antioxidants which have several health benefits. The juice from the male bud provides an apparent remedy for stomach problems in people of all ages. 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. Dietary fiber has demonstrated its benefits in health and disease prevention in medical nutrition therapy. Consumption of dietary fiber is known to lower blood cholesterol level, normalize blood glucose and insulin level, promote normal laxation, avoid constipation, prevent diverticulosis and diverticukitis, lower the risk of colon cancer and breast cancer and prevent obesity. The flower has been used to treat bronchitis, constipation and peptic ulcer. The extract has anti-oxidant property that prevents free radicals and control cell and tissue damage. Based on the main components of banana flower extract and its anti-oxidant properties, we hypothesized that the banana flower extract may have anticancer activities against cancer cell lines.