Fresh Banana Stem
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Banana stem, or "batang pisang" in Indonesian, is a part of the banana plant that lies between the roots and the leaves. It's a sturdy structure that supports the growth of leaves and flowers in the banana plant. The inside of the banana stem can be divided into layers of mostly watery and easily peelable fibers.
Although it's not often eaten directly, the banana stem contains nutritional value like fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6. The banana stem also holds potential health benefits, particularly in aiding digestion and regulating blood pressure. While it's rarely used in dishes, banana stem has been utilized in some traditional cuisines in various cultures.
FRESH BANANA STEM
According to a study by Murugan in 2022, it was explained that Banana pseudo stem has a relatively low fat content (0.98%); hence, fats do not contribute significantly to the energy content. The carbohydrate, protein, and starch content in the Banana pseudo stem are approximately (46.58%), (7.34%), and (21.06%) respectively.
The total dietary fiber content in this pseudo stem is about (61.14%), where soluble dietary fiber and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) are approximately (02.04%) and (59.10%) respectively. High dietary fiber diets are effective at producing early satiety signals by prolonging the time food remains in the stomach, which can lower the risk of stomach ulcers.
Additionally, the availability of the vitamin B complex in considerable amounts emphasizes the potential of the Banana pseudo stem (by-product) to treat various disorders, including prostate cancer. The mineral content in the banana stem follows the order K > Ca > Mg > P > Na.
Collectively, the microminerals in the Banana pseudo stem show the presence of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Al, and several other minerals such as iron, manganese, copper, and zinc are components of numerous important proteins and enzymes involved in the metabolism of macronutrients and bodily functions because they have various advantages compared to other varieties, such as:
1. Anti-Diabetic Effect of Banana Stem Juice
The bioactive components in the stem extract stimulate insulin production and lower blood glucose levels. Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phlorotannins, phenolic compounds, glycosides, terpenoids, and steroids are low-molecular-weight bioactive phytochemicals present in the pseudo stem of various species of the Musa family, which are responsible for the anti-diabetic effects. In many tropical countries, banana stem juice has traditionally been used as a therapeutic agent for diabetes patients.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Effect
The most common bioactive compound in Banana Stem Extract is tannin, which contains polyphenols. The presence of polyphenol components promotes anti-inflammatory action through the inhibition mechanism of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa β (NF-κB) signaling.
3. Anti-Microbial Effect
The antibacterial activity of the Banana Pseudo Stem extract revealed the highest inhibition zone of 21 mm against Streptococcus sp., compared to 14 mm from the methanol extract. The extract from the pseudo stem of banana (Musa paradisiaca) exhibited the strongest antibacterial impact against Staphylococcus aureus. Other strains like Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and E. coli also demonstrated antimicrobial effects.
4. Wound Healing Property
Banana stem has the ability to enhance macrophage numbers, speeding up the wound healing process, as it contains phytochemicals such as ascorbic acid, lycopene, saponin, tannin, flavonoid, and beta-carotene. The antimicrobial activity of tannin can reduce inflammation. This causes blood vessels to narrow and stimulates epithelial formation.
5. Anti-Urolithic Activity
Banana stem juice is low in calories, rich in dietary fiber, and promotes the delayed release of simple sugars. The juice also has a low glycemic index and aids digestion and bowel movements. It functions as a diuretic to assist in flushing out accumulated toxins from the body and regularly cleansing the urinary tract. Banana stem juice has been found to aid in breaking down existing kidney stones and also helps prevent the formation of various types of kidney stones in the urinary bladder.
Reference:
Kendole, S. S., Priya, K. L., Murugan, R., & Eshanya, T. V. (2022). Pharmacological Properties of Banana Stem: An Updated Review. Journal of Nutritional Therapeutics, 11, 1-7.