Bioactive profile and functional food applications of banana in food sectors and health: a review

Abstract

This review explores the nutritional and pharmacological aspects of banana, as well as their prospective applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Banana is a widely consumed staple food in several countries and is popular for its pharmacological, nutritional and bioactive profile. Banana is ranked as the fifth most cultivated agricultural crop in terms of global trade. It is consumed in both raw and processed form. Banana comprises an immense amount of bioactive compounds including phytosterols, carotenoids, phenols, and biogenic amines that have a very effective role in health-promoting phenomena. Several bioactive compounds show antioxidant activities to reduce the disease risk. Banana has very effective pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic. Banana has unique health-promoting aspects as well as used in the development of many food products like bread, pasta, confectionaries, and gluten-free products.

Keywords

• Banana
• Bioactive compound
• nutrition
• Functional product
• therapeutics