PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 12:22 AM by Luigi

New banana nutritional content paper

From Dr Lois Englberger.

We would like to share with you that our paper titled "Carotenoid content and flesh color of selected banana cultivars growing inAustralia", by L Englberger, R B H. Wills, B Blades, L Dufficy, J W. Daniells, and T Coyne is now published in the Food and Nutrition Bulletin December 2006 issue.

The paper's title refers to banana cultivars grown in Australia, but the work also involves cultivars from the Pacific.

The paper should soon be on the journal’s website.

Let me know if you would like the pdf file; it was kindly provided by Susan Karcz, Managing Editor. Thank you again Susan!

Here below is the abstract, thanks again all to those involved in this project!

ABSTRACT

Background: Research in Micronesia indicates that yellow- and orange-fleshed banana cultivars contain significant levels of provitamin A carotenoids.

Objective: To identify further banana cultivars that may be promoted to alleviate vitamin A deficiency and chronic disease problems.

Methods: Ripe fruit of banana cultivars growing in Australia (sourced mostly from a field research collection) were assessed for carotenoid content and flesh color. Ten cultivars with yellow or yellow/orange flesh color (including common cultivars of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands) were selected and compared to two cream-fleshed cultivars, including Williams, of the Cavendish group, the most commonly marketed banana world-wide. Carotenoid content was analysed using HPLC. Flesh color was analysed using HunterLab colorimetry.

Results: The yellow/orange-fleshed Asupina (a Fe’i banana) contained the highest level (1430 ?g/100g) of ?-carotene, the most important provitamin A carotenoid, over 20 times higher than that of Williams. All ten yellow or yellow/orange-fleshed cultivars (Asupina, Kirkirnan, Pisang Raja, Horn Plantain, Pacific Plantain, Kluai Khai Bonng, Wain, Red Dacca, Lakatan, and Sucrier) contained significant carotenoid levels, potentially meeting half or all of estimated vitamin A requirements for a non-pregnant, non-lactating female adult within normal consumption patterns. All were acceptable for taste and other attributes. The cream-fleshed cultivars contained minimal carotenoid levels. There was a positive significant correlation between carotenoid content and deeper yellow/orange coloration indicators.

Conclusions: These yellow- or yellow/orange-fleshed carotenoid-rich banana cultivars should be considered for promotion in order to alleviate vitamin A deficiency and chronic disease in susceptible target communities and to provide variety and enjoyment as exotic fruits in both developing and industrialized countries.

And here's a comment from Judy Mieger: Reading a bit of this color stuff brought 2 things to mind----Dr. Bill Sears is a wonderful pediatrician/author/breastfeeding advocate/father of 8!! who has several children's nutrition books out that are fantastically popular----and as I remember hearing he talks about eating a rainbow every day (or something...)---such a great concept for kids. … COLOR is something I can get into!----and even as interested in nutrition as I am, learning nutritional details is boring to the average person like me----but give me the Color Connection any time and I'll perk up! :) (I can't be the only one...) All good wishes for a healthy karat-filled 2007, Judy



	A blog maintained by Tevita Kete, PGR Officer Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji Islands
This weblog documents the activities of Pacific Agricultural Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN), along with other information on plant genetic resources (PGR) in the Pacific. The myriad varieties found within cultivated plants are fundamental to the present and future productivity of agriculture. PAPGREN, which is coordinated by the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), helps Pacific countries and territories to conserve their crop genetic diversity sustainably, with technical assistance from the Bioversity International (BI) and support from NZAID and ACIAR. SPC also hosts the Centre of Pacific Crops and Trees (CEPaCT). The CEPaCT maintains regional in vitro collections of crops important to the Pacific and carries out research on tissue culture technology. The CEPaCT Adviser is Dr Mary Taylor (MaryT@spc.int), the CEPaCT Curator is Ms Valerie Tuia (ValerieT@spc.int). PAPGREN coordination and support IPGRI ACIAR NZAID CTA SPC PAPGREN CEPaCT Click on the thumbnail to see a map of the locations of Pacific genebanks. Click here to download a regional directory of genebanks in the Pacific, including information on their location, contact details and holdings. PAPGREN partners Mr William Wigmore Director of Research Ministry of Agriculture Department of Resources & Development P.O. Box 96 Rarotonga Cook Islands Tel: (682) 28711-29720 Fax: (682) 21881 Email: cimoa@oyster.net.ck Mr Adelino S. Lorens Chief Agriculture Pohnpei Office of Economic Affairs P.O. Box 1028 Kolonia Pohnpei 96941 Federated States of Micronesia Tel: (691) 3202400 Fax: (691) 3202127 Email: pniagriculture@mail.fm Dr Lois Englberger Island Food Community of Pohnpei Research Advisor P.O. Box 2299 Kolonia Pohnpei 96941 Federated States of Micronesia Email: nutrition@mail.fm Mr Apisai Ucuboi Director of Research Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forest Koronivia Research Station P.O. 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Box 14 Nuku'alofa Tonga Tel: (676) 23038 Fax: (676) 24271 Email: thaangana@hotmail.com Mr Frazer Bule Lehi Head of Research Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Private Mail Bag 040 Port Vila Vanuatu Tel: (678) 22525 Fax: (678) 25265 Email: flehi@hotmail.com Other links Other CROP agencies Forum Secretariat University of the South Pacific SPREP Pacific biodiversity Biodiversity hotspots Breadfruit Institute Hawaiian native plants Intellectual property rights Nature Conservancy PBIF PestNet SIDS WWF South Pacific Program Other Pacific organizations Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific Micronesian Seminar Te Puna web directory Pacific news Cafe Pacific CocoNET Wireless Island Directory Pacific Islands News Pacific Islands Report Pacific Islands Travel Pacific Time South Pacific travel Time Pacific Interested in GIS? DIVA-GIS	Thursday, December 28, 2006 Posted 12:22 AM by Luigi New banana nutritional content paper From Dr Lois Englberger. We would like to share with you that our paper titled "Carotenoid content and flesh color of selected banana cultivars growing inAustralia", by L Englberger, R B H. Wills, B Blades, L Dufficy, J W. Daniells, and T Coyne is now published in the Food and Nutrition Bulletin December 2006 issue. The paper's title refers to banana cultivars grown in Australia, but the work also involves cultivars from the Pacific. The paper should soon be on the journal’s website. Let me know if you would like the pdf file; it was kindly provided by Susan Karcz, Managing Editor. Thank you again Susan! Here below is the abstract, thanks again all to those involved in this project! ABSTRACT Background: Research in Micronesia indicates that yellow- and orange-fleshed banana cultivars contain significant levels of provitamin A carotenoids. Objective: To identify further banana cultivars that may be promoted to alleviate vitamin A deficiency and chronic disease problems. Methods: Ripe fruit of banana cultivars growing in Australia (sourced mostly from a field research collection) were assessed for carotenoid content and flesh color. Ten cultivars with yellow or yellow/orange flesh color (including common cultivars of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands) were selected and compared to two cream-fleshed cultivars, including Williams, of the Cavendish group, the most commonly marketed banana world-wide. Carotenoid content was analysed using HPLC. Flesh color was analysed using HunterLab colorimetry. Results: The yellow/orange-fleshed Asupina (a Fe’i banana) contained the highest level (1430 ?g/100g) of ?-carotene, the most important provitamin A carotenoid, over 20 times higher than that of Williams. All ten yellow or yellow/orange-fleshed cultivars (Asupina, Kirkirnan, Pisang Raja, Horn Plantain, Pacific Plantain, Kluai Khai Bonng, Wain, Red Dacca, Lakatan, and Sucrier) contained significant carotenoid levels, potentially meeting half or all of estimated vitamin A requirements for a non-pregnant, non-lactating female adult within normal consumption patterns. All were acceptable for taste and other attributes. The cream-fleshed cultivars contained minimal carotenoid levels. There was a positive significant correlation between carotenoid content and deeper yellow/orange coloration indicators. Conclusions: These yellow- or yellow/orange-fleshed carotenoid-rich banana cultivars should be considered for promotion in order to alleviate vitamin A deficiency and chronic disease in susceptible target communities and to provide variety and enjoyment as exotic fruits in both developing and industrialized countries. And here's a comment from Judy Mieger: Reading a bit of this color stuff brought 2 things to mind----Dr. Bill Sears is a wonderful pediatrician/author/breastfeeding advocate/father of 8!! who has several children's nutrition books out that are fantastically popular----and as I remember hearing he talks about eating a rainbow every day (or something...)---such a great concept for kids. … COLOR is something I can get into!----and even as interested in nutrition as I am, learning nutritional details is boring to the average person like me----but give me the Color Connection any time and I'll perk up! :) (I can't be the only one...) All good wishes for a healthy karat-filled 2007, Judy * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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