Effect of Different Drying Techniques on the Resistant Starch, Bioactive Components, Physicochemical and Pasting Properties of Cardaba Banana Flour

This study investigated the effect of different drying techniques on Cardaba banana flour. Cardaba banana was processed using sun, cabinet and freeze drying methods. The proximate, pasting, functional, starch profile and antioxidant properties of Cardaba banana flour were evaluated. The drying methods significantly (p ≤0.05) affected the chemical, functional, pasting and antioxidant properties of the Cardaba banana flour. Freeze dried (FD) flour sample had highest (6.69%) protein value, while sun dried (SD) flour sample had the lowest (6.13%). The crude fat of FD sample (2.38%) was not significantly different (p >0.05) from cabinet dried (CD) flour (2.38%) sample. However, sun dried sample crude fibre content was the highest (0.84%). In addition, drying methods significantly (p ≤0.05) affected the pasting characteristics of Cardaba banana flours. Results of functional properties showed that the drying methods had no effect on the least gelation properties of the flour. The resistant and total starch was highest in CD, and least in SD. Freeze drying produced flour high in indigestible carbohydrate compared to the other methods. Cardaba banana flour samples from all the drying methods showed substantive total phenolic, flavonoid, ABTS and DPPH contents. The drying methods employed significantly (p ≤0.05) affected the functional, chemical, pasting and antioxidants properties of Cardaba banana flours. However, the study indicated that freeze drying and cabinet drying produce flours with better properties.