Characterization of Banana Pseudostem Fiber and its functional Properties.

Banana is the largest producing fruit in India. From whole biomass of banana plant,
pseudostem contributes 30.81% out of which only 2% are used and the rest are wasted or
incinerated. Banana pseudostem is a rich source of both soluble (SDF) & insoluble dietary fiber
(IDF). In order to minimize and utilize the wastage, fiber was extracted, analyzed and value
added product was developed from pseudostem. By enzymatic gravimetric method, it was found
that Banana pseudostem (BPS) after extracting the juice; contain 0.79g insoluble & 0.005g
soluble dietary fiber per gram of fiber rich pseudostem powder. Fiber rich pseudostem powder
showed hydration properties as Water holding capacity (WHC), Water binding capacity (WBC)
& Swelling capacity (SWC), 3.9445 ± 0.155 g/g, 3.762 ± 0.57g/g & 11.51 ± 1.43ml/g
respectively. It also had 2.70 ± 0.01ml/g fat binding capacity (FBC) & 72.72% emulsifying
capacity (EC). The BPP had glucose predominantly (32.836%) with significant amounts of
xylose, galactose, arabinose and mannose. It had substantial amount of arabinose (10.74%),
xylose (23.72%), mannose (6.339%), galactose (26.1219%) and glucose (32.836%). The
presence of polyphenols (3.875 mg GAE/ g of extract) and flavonoid content (27.7 mg CE/g of
extract) provides antioxidant capacity to this fiber material (SDF) as determined by DPPH (EC50
1.054mg/ml) and TRP (1.58 g/100g) assay. The antioxidant capacity of this fiber-rich banana
pseudostem powder and its physico-chemical properties render it as ingredients used in the
preparation of low-calorie, high-fiber cookies. This fiber rich power was used to prepare cookies
at different concentrations (5, 10 15%). Five percent supplementation of banana Pseudostem
fiber was found to be suitable for preparation of high fiber cookies with better sensory
acceptability. Thus, banana Pseudostem fiber which otherwise is a waste or incinerated can be
used as dietary supplement in production of functional foods.