Combined effects of ultrasound and pulsed-vacuum on air-drying to obtain unripe banana flour

In this work, ultrasound and ultrasound-pulsed vacuum pre-treatments prior to air-drying were applied as an alternative to produce unripe banana flour (UBF). This study indicates that the drying kinetics increased due to the application of ultrasound, preserving the resistant starch content of the final product. Hence, this technology diminishes the drying time and consequently reduces the energy costs, in comparison with to the conventional process. Therefore, the UBF rich in resistant starch content can be considered a functional ingredient that promotes dietary intake of unavailable carbohydrates, which may reduce the risks of non-communicable diseases.