1 Agricultural Product Process Engineering Unit, GAU, Anand Campus, Anand-388110.
2 College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, GAU, Junagadh-362001.
3 SMC College of Dairy Science, GAU, Anand Campus, Anand-388110.
Banana is the most important fruit crop representing about 40% share by weight in world trade of fruits, either fresh or processed. India is the largest producer of banana, with an annual production of 7.9 million MT. The most common varieties of banana grown in India are Dwarf cavendish and Robusta. Shelf life of fully matured banana under tropical conditions is limited to a short period. During peak season, due to a large volume of fruits available, the producers are faced with low returns due to perishable nature of the commodity. In order to minimize losses due to wastage and quick ripening under tropical atmosphere, to avoid distress sales and to ensure reasonable returns to the farmer, there is a necessity to develop long lasting products and by-products of banana which have commercial importance such as banana powder, flour, figs, chips, canned slices, jams, beverages, etc. The present scenario indicates that there is a scope for the development and introducing dried products in the form of snacks or convenience foods.
