Production and Quality Assessment of Infusion Tea from Banana Peels

The main objective of this study was to assess the quality of infusion tea produced from banana peels. Banana peels were processed and dried at 55℃ for 10 h, and substituted with ginger powder to make “tea”. Six samples were obtained and tagged A (100% banana peel), B (90% banana peel, 10% ginger), C (85% banana peel, 15% ginger), D (80% banana peel, 20% ginger), and E (75% banana peel, 25% ginger). Sample F is a commercially sold tea (Lipton Yellow Label Tea), and served as the control. Two grams (2 g) of the samples were bagged and brewed in 100 ml of hot water (100℃) for 5 min. Protein, ash, magnesium, manganese, copper and potassium content of the brew was analysed. Also, antioxidant properties, pH and sensory evaluation of the brew was determined. The protein and ash content of the samples ranged from 0.24-0.94% and 0.14-0.31%, with the control recording the highest value. Substituting banana peel with ginger reduced the magnesium and copper content of the brew which ranged from 0.84-6.12 mg/100 ml and 0.013-0.899 mg/100 ml respectively. Manganese and potassium content of the brew increased with increase in the quantity of ginger. The total phenol, tannin and flavonoid content of the brews ranged from 2.03-3.58 mg/100g, 3.62-21.98 mg/kg and 1.20-1.43% respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.05) between the control and the ginger substituted samples in their pH values which ranged from 6.63-7.42. Overall acceptability score showed that the control was liked best (7.29), followed by sample B (7.08). Production of infusion tea from banana peel have shown to be feasible. Its use as a tea alternative have shown its richness in micronutrients as magnesium and copper, as well as manganese and potassium when substituted with ginger. The substitution of 25% banana peel with ginger in “tea” production is recommended. Despite being liked slightly for sensory over all acceptability, the protein, potassium and antioxidant properties can compete favourably with the 100% banana peel brew.