Banana fruits with high content of resistant starch: Effect of genotypes and phosphorus fertilization.

Banana fertilization practices aim to increase agricultural yield and the effects of these practices on fruit components have not been well explored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of phosphate fertilizer levels on production parameters and accumulation of dry matter, phosphorus, starch and resistant starch in green fruits. Four banana genotypes were cultivated under the same cultural practices, with varying levels of phosphate fertilizers during three production cycles.

Phosphate fertilization changes the characteristics of 'Maçã' banana starch.

The unripe banana has been studied as a potential source of starch for use in various applications. Considering the importance of phosphorus in the biosynthesis of the starch and also the interference of this mineral in starch properties, in this study it was evaluated the effect of rates of phosphate fertilizer applied in the cultivation of 'Maçã' banana on the characteristics of the starch. Starches extracted from fruits from different treatments were analyzed for morphological characteristics, X-ray diffraction pattern, relative crystallinity, granule size, amylose, resistant starch and phosphorus levels, as well as, for pasting and thermal properties.