In this project, a range of Natural Evolution’s banana products (flours, skin powder, skin liquid extract, ointment) were tested for phytochemical composition and anti-microbial activity, with comparison to an imported banana flour product. The phytochemical composition was determined with the highlight being that Natural Evolution’s flour products had 2-3 times higher chlorogenic acid content, 3-5 times higher tryptophan content, and 21-51 times higher serotonin content, than the imported flour. The banana flour products and ointment product showed extensive anti-microbial activity. Natural Evolution will use the phytochemical composition and anti-microbial activity to further develop the profile of and differentiate their products. Natural Evolution will also look to limit the use of heat in extra processing, prior to consumption or incorporation of their banana flour products, to limit the reduction in the resistant starch content. Natural evolution also carried very clean hygiene standards compared to other imported and variety of banana flour and powders that fail food standards required for supplement and baking needs.
In regards to the phytochemical composition of the products the main differences and similarities between samples and their contents were as follows. The skin liquid extract (BSLE) showed 21-162-fold higher chlorogenic acid content than the other samples. Among the flour samples (GBRS, UGFBF and SLBF) Natural Evolution products had 2.1-3.2-fold higher chlorogenic acid content than the Sri Lankan product. The flavonoid content was highest for the skin powder (LFSP) being 3.6-6.6-fold higher than the flour samples, and 24-fold higher than the liquid extract (BSLE). The Natural Evolution flour products had 44-86% higher flavonoid content than the Sri Lankan flour. The proanthocyanidin content was lowest for the skin liquid extract (BSLE), being 3-5 times lower than the other samples, which had reasonably similar content. In regards to the content of tryptophan and serotonin, Natural Evolution flour products and skin powder (GBRS [30.2 mg/kg, 132.1 mg/kg], UGFBF [43.2], LFSP [30.7]) were 3.1-4.5 times higher for tryptophan, and 12-51 times higher for serotonin, than the Sri Lankan flour (SLBP). The ointment (BO) and skin liquid extract (BSLE) had no detected tryptophan or serotonin. However the ointment (BO), leaf skin powder (LFSP) and skin liquid extract (BSLE) were the only samples to have detectable phytosterol content, with total content being highest in skin powder followed by ointment.
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