Biotransformation of banana pseudostem extract into a functional juice containing value added biomolecules of potential health benefits

Abstract

Banana is one of the most widely grown fruit crops, with the second largest produced fruit in the world. India is the largest producer of banana in the world. Banana cultivation generates huge residual biomass, which is generally wasted after harvesting of fruit. The present study represents a novel method for biotransformation of banana pseudostem extract into a functional juice, containing high value nondigestible oligosaccharides, and rare monosaccharide of nearly zero caloric value- D-allulose. The bioprocess involves employment of membrane separation techniques, and the biocatalysts executing glucosyltransferase and D-fructose epimerization activities. The bioprocessed banana pseudostem juice was estimated to contain prebiotic glucooligosaccharides (~5 g L^-1) and D-allulose (~7 g L^-1). Thus, the study represents a simple and innovative bioprocess for transformation of banana pseudostem extract into a functional juice possessing high value biomolecules that exert multifarious health benefits.