Banana Genus Musa

Banana (Musa sapientum L.) is one of the most common tropical fruits, and one of Central America s most important crops. It is grown in all tropical regions and is one of the oldest known fruits [45]. From a consumer perspective, bananas are nutritious with a pleasant flavour and are widely consumed throughout the world [57]. Esters predominate in the volatile fraction of banana (Fig. 8.2). Acetates are present in high concentrations in the fruit and generally possess a low threshold. Isopentyl acetate and isobutyl acetate are known as the two most important impact compounds of banana aroma. Alcohols are the second most important group of volatiles in banana extracts. 3-Methyl-1-butanol, 2-pentanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, hexanol, and linalool are the alcohols present in higher concentrations in the fresh fruit [45]. 

The concentrations of acetates and butanoates seemed to increase during ripening of Valery bananas [40]. This was confirmed by an investigation in which bananas were treated with the ethylene antagonist 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) [22]. The volatiles were recovered by a Tenax TA trap. The 1-MCP treatments caused quantitative changes in the amounts and the composition of 

another research group suggested that not all of the volatile components found in large concentration in the commercial banana essence contributed to the aroma, such as 2-pentanone, 2-pentanol, butanol, and isobutyl acetate. However, isoamyl acetate, 2-pentanol acetate, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methyl- 

1- butanol, 3-methylbutanal, acetal, isobutyl acetate, hexanal, ethyl butanoate, 

2- heptanol, and butyl butanoate contributed and defined the aroma in the commercial fruit essence [30]. Isoamyl alcohol was the most abundant compound found in headspace flavour compounds of Taiwanese banana recovered by solid phase microextraction [39]. 

---

Abaca. The abaca fiber is obtained from the leaves of the banana-like plant (same genus) Musa textilis (banana family, Musaceae). The fiber is also called Manila hemp from the port of its first shipment, although it has no relationship with hemp, a bast fiber. The mature plant has 12—20 stalks growing from its rhizome root system the stalks are 2.6—6.7 m tall and 10—20 cm thick at the base. The stalk has leaf sheaths that expand iato leaves 1—2.5 m long, 10—20 cm wide, and 10 mm thick at the center the fibers are ia the outermost layer. The plant produces a crop after five years, and 2—4 stalks can be harvested about every six months. 

The plant belongs to the Muscacease (banana) family its genus is Musa. As many as 100 species (varieties) have been identified. Of these, 20 are commercially important only three or four are grown extensively in the Philippines Musa textilis is one of them. 

---