INTRODUCTION BANANA Bananas are among the most important food crops on the planet. They come from a family of plants called Musa that are native to Southeast Asia and grown in many of the warmer areas of the world. Bananas are a healthy source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and various antioxidants and phytonutrients. In some countries,banana used for cooking may be called "plantains", distinguishing them from dessert bananas. The fruit is variable in size, colour, and firmness, but is usually elongated and curved, with soft flesh rich in starch covered with a rind, which may be green, yellow, red, purple, or brown when ripe. The fruits grow in clusters hanging from the top of the plant. TYPES OF BANANAS 1. Cavendish Banana The Cavendish banana is your “typical” banana found at the local grocery store or farmer’s market. They are slightly sweet and have a creamy texture 2. Pisang Raja Pisang Raja bananas are popular in Indonesia. Featuring a yellow to orange colour, they taste like honey-flavoured custard with a smooth and creamy consistency. 3 Red Banana As their name suggests, red bananas have a reddish-purple skin. They have light pink coloured flesh and are much sweeter and softer than Cavendish bananas. 4. Lady Finger Banana Lady Finger bananas, also known as baby bananas, are sweeter and smaller than Cavendish bananas. They’re usually around three inches in length and feature a creamy texture and sweet flavor with notes of honey. 5. Plantain Plantains are a subgroup of bananas that are referred to as cooking bananas. They have a high starch content and are typically used in savory dishes. GENERAL USES OF BANANA 1. High Fibre Content Banana is loaded with fibre, both soluble and insoluble. The soluble fiber has the tendency to slow down digestion and keep you feeling full for a longer time. Which is why bananas are often included in a breakfast meal so that you can start about your day without having to worry about the next meal. 2. Heart Health High fibre foods are said to be good for the heart. According to a study done by University of Leeds in UK, increasing the consumption of fibre rich foods such as bananas can lower the risk of both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). 3. Ease in Digestion According to Ayurveda, banana has a sweet and sour taste. The sweet taste is said to bring about a sense of heaviness but the sour taste is known to stimulate agni (the digestive juices), thereby supporting digestion and helping in building up metabolism. 4. Powerhouse of Nutrients Banana is a heavyweight when it comes to nutrition. It is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin, riboflavin, and B6. These all contribute to the proper functioning of the body and keeping you healthy. THE USE OF BANANA PEEL ON PLANTS 1. Banana peels are good for gardens because they contain 42 percent potassium , one of the three major components of fertilizer along with nitrogen and phosphorus and shown on fertilizer labels as NPK. In fact, banana peels have the highest organic sources of potassium. 2. Potassium helps plants grown for their fruiting and flowering, including rose bushes and fruit trees, rather than plants grown for their foliage 3. Banana peels are good fertilizer because of what they do not contain. They contain absolutely no nitrogen. While plants need nitrogen, too much nitrogen will create lots of green leaves but few berries. NUTRIENTS The exact composition of banana peels is still being investigated, so there’s no standard nutrition profile yet. A number of factors affect the nutrients found specifically in banana peels The common nutrients present in banana peel are: • • • • • • Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Magnesium Potassium Fiber Protein THE USE OF BANANA PEEL ON PLANTS 1. Banana peels are good for gardens because they contain 42 percent potassium , one of the three major components of fertilizer along with nitrogen and phosphorus and shown on fertilizer labels as NPK. In fact, banana peels have the highest organic sources of potassium. 2. Potassium helps plants grown for their fruiting and flowering, including rose bushes and fruit trees, rather than plants grown for their foliage 3. Banana peels are good fertilizer because of what they do not contain. They contain absolutely no nitrogen. While plants need nitrogen, too much nitrogen will create lots of green leaves but few berries or flowers 4. Banana peels are good for gardens because they contain 42 percent potassium , one of the three major components of fertilizer along with nitrogen and phosphorus and shown on fertilizer labels as NPK. In fact, banana peels have the highest organic sources of potassium. 5. Potassium helps plants grown for their fruiting and flowering, including rose bushes and fruit trees, rather than plants grown for their foliage 6. Banana peels are good fertilizer because of what they do not contain. They contain absolutely no nitrogen. While plants need nitrogen, too much nitrogen will create lots of green leaves but few berries or flowers. 7. Banana peels also contain calcium, which prevents blossom end rot in tomatoes 8. The manganese in banana peels aids photosynthesis, while the sodium in banana peels helps water flow between cells. 9. They even have traces of magnesium and sulphur, elements that help make chlorophyll. WHY IS BANANA PEEL IN SEMI SOLID STATE BETTER? Banana peel in semi solid/mashed state is better because it can cover more surface area, thereby allowing the peel nutrients to breakdown a lot quicker and better in the soil.
