Bananas

Bananas arise as one of the most popular fruits consumed all around the world. Banana belongs to the genus Musa from the family Musaceae. It is original from tropical regions and presents a strong ability to protect itself from the oxidative stress caused by extreme climatic conditions such as intense sunshine and high temperature. For this protection, bananas increase the production of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity, which protect the fruit from the oxidative damage. This book provides current research on the cultivation, consumption and crop diseases of bananas. Chapter One addresses the biochemical characterisation of Musa spp. genotypes, with emphasis on bioactive secondary metabolites of interest to human nutrition. Chapter Two focuses on the composition of bananas, including macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive compounds, as well as the effect of postharvest treatments and storage conditions in the quality of bananas. Chapter Three reviews sustainable management of banana waste through renewable energy and bio-fertiliser generation. Chapter Four reviews some of the recently reported valuable uses of banana pseudstem sap (BPS), for growth of sustainable agricultural process, food technology and value-added medicinal products, and in textiles for improving certain functional attributes. The final chapter examines banana as an important food allergen source.