Provitamin A carotenoid content of unripe and ripe banana cultivars for potential adoption in eastern Africa

• Authors : Ekesa, B.N.; Nabuuma, D.; Blomme, G.; Van den Bergh, I.


• Document type : Journal article


• Year of publication : 2015


• Journal title : Journal of Food Composition and Analysis


• Number : 43




• Pages : 1-6


• Peer-reviewed : Yes


• ISSN : 0889-1575; 1096-0481


• Language(s) : English


• Abstract : Changes in concentrations and retention of provitamin A carotenoids during ripening of eight non-indigenous banana (Musa spp.) cultivars on trial for possible adoption in eastern Africa were established through high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Predominant provitamin A carotenoids were all-trans-β- and α-carotene, together constituting about 90% of total provitamin A carotenoids content. Mean total provitamin A carotenoids ranged from 560 to 4680 μg/100 g fw) in unripe fruit and from 1680 to 10630 μg/100 g fw) in ripe fruit. All cultivars showed significantly higher provitamin A carotenoid levels than popular local cultivars of the same genomic group and type. Cultivars' retinol activity equivalent (RAE) values when ripe ranged from 106 to 713 μg/100 g fw, indicating that 100 g of ripe 'Lahi', 'Apantu', 'Bira', 'To'o', 'Sepi' and 'HungTu' fruit contain enough provitamin A carotenoids to meet >100% of the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) of a child under 5 years of age, and between 15% and 102% for a woman of reproductive age. Although further studies need to be carried out to establish retention following processing and bioavailability, these findings can guide consumer consumption patterns to maximize vitamin A intake in banana-dependent regions and direct researchers in selecting banana cultivars that help prevent vitamin A deficiency.
  Highlights
  • All-trans beta- and alpha-carotene are the predominant carotenoids in banana fruit.
  • Mean total provitamin A carotenoids in cultivars ranged from 559 to 10632 μg/100 g fw.
  • Trial cultivars had higher provitamin A carotenoid than popular local cultivars.
  • Vitamin A retinol activity equivalent of ripe cultivars from 106 to 713 μg/100 g fw.
  • 6 of the bananas studied (100 g) provide ≥100% of DRI vitamin A needs for a child.


• Keywords : PLANTAIN; CAROTENOIDS; EAST AFRICA; ITC CODE; RTB; VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY


• Open access : No


• Document on publisher's site : View article on publisher's site


• Musalit document ID : IN150234

If you want to link this record, use this url : www.musalit.org/seeMore.php?id=15599