Nutritional Values of Raw and Ripe Fruits of Two Commercially Viable Banana Cultivars ‘Grand Nain’ and ‘Sabri’: Exploring for Value Addition

Bananas are a significant agricultural commodity valued for their delicacy and nutritional benefits. However, approximately 30% of bananas are wasted, underscoring the need for strategies to add value to this fruit. Additionally, bananas have the potential to help address a global issue: micronutrient deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and nutraceutical values of different parts (peel and pulp) of green and ripe bananas from two cultivars, Grand Nain and Sabri. We analyzed various nutritional and nutraceutical parameters, including ash content, crude fat, fiber, carbohydrates, protein, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and Vitamin A content. The findings revealed that unripe banana pulps contained the highest carbohydrate content, while ripe banana peels demonstrated greater overall nutrient richness in terms of fiber, protein, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which are essential for the human body. This study highlights the potential for utilizing different parts of the banana, particularly the peels, to develop value-added products.