Provitamin A carotenoid content of unripe and ripe banana cultivars for potential adoption in eastern Africa

Changes in concentrations and retention of provitamin A carotenoids during ripening of eight non-indigenous banana (Musa spp.) cultivars on trial for possible adoption in eastern Africa were established through high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Predominant provitamin A carotenoids were all-trans-β- and α-carotene, together constituting about 90% of total provitamin A carotenoids content. Mean total provitamin A carotenoids ranged from 560 to 4680 μg/100 g fw) in unripe fruit and from 1680 to 10630 μg/100 g fw) in ripe fruit. All cultivars showed significantly higher provitamin A carotenoid levels than popular local cultivars of the same genomic group and type. Cultivars' retinol activity equivalent (RAE) values when ripe ranged from 106 to 713 μg/100 g fw, indicating that 100 g of ripe 'Lahi', 'Apantu', 'Bira', 'To'o', 'Sepi' and 'HungTu' fruit contain enough provitamin A carotenoids to meet >100% of the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) of a child under 5 years of age, and between 15% and 102% for a woman of reproductive age. Although further studies need to be carried out to establish retention following processing and bioavailability, these findings can guide consumer consumption patterns to maximize vitamin A intake in banana-dependent regions and direct researchers in selecting banana cultivars that help prevent vitamin A deficiency.