1.
Banana Stem
a. Nutritional Composition of Fresh Banana Stem (ubad)
Banana stem contains potassium (k) -- essential for maintaining fluid
balance and regulating blood pressure, vitamin B6 -- supports hemoglobin
production and insulin function, vitamin C -- an antioxidant that boosts
immunity, magnesium (Mg)-- important for muscle function and bone health,
copper (Cu) aids in iron absorption, iron (Fe) crucial for oxygen transport in
the blood, manganese (Mn) supports metabolism and bone health,
carbohydrates provides energy, fibres -- promotes digestion and prevents
constipation, and other minerals & micronutrients (Shah, 2023). Additionally,
according to Wina (2001), the water content of banana stems in fresh
conditions range from 75.70-82.50%.
b. Nutritional Value of Banana Stem Under Anaerobic Fermentation
Supplementing nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus together has a
synergistic effect on anaerobic fermentation in banana stems, which can be
advantageous for increasing protein content. According to Rochana et al.
(2017), the nutritional value of banana stem after anerobic fermenetation
supplemented with nitrogen (N), sulphur (S), and phosphorus (P) could
significantly increase the crude protein, making the fermented product a
potential feed resource. Specifically, the combination of 60-kg chopped
banana stems, 3.00% N, 0.40% S, and 0.25% P resulted in the highest
protein content, reaching 8.98%. However, the supplementation had no
significant effect on several components of the the fermented banana stems
such as water content, dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, crude fiber,
material extract without nitrogen or ash (Rochana et al., 2017).
(Rochana et al., 2017)
c. Banana Stem Inclusion on Swine Diet
Bananas (Musa cavendishii) and plantains (Musa paradisiaca) are mainly used as
human food, a considerable amount of reject fruit could be fed to livestock,
particularly to pigs. The vegetative part of the plant, the pseudo-stems and leaves,
contains more than 60% of the dry matter of the whole plant and has been used
experimentally as meal for pigs in concentrate rations (Garcia et al., 1991a,b).
Banana stem is often use as animal feed especially pig by mixing with rice bran
and fed directly to pig, however, banana stem is low in nutrients and high fiber
which has effect on pig growth performance but nutrient was improved when
banana stem incorporate silage (Kaewwongsa et al., n.d.).
According to some studies, banana stems can be used as an alternative feed
for pigs (Kaewwongsa et al., n.d.; DuPonte et al., 2016). The dietary banana stem
supplementation had effects on finishing pigs’ growth performance (Kaewwongsa
et al., n.d.).The results found that the increased average daily gain (ADG), feed
conversion ratio (FCR) and body weight gain were significantly difference (P<0.05)
when used banana stem supplemented. Average daily feed intake and backfat
thickness were not significantly difference (P>0.05) when used banana stem
supplemented in diets (Kaewwongsa et al., n.d.).
According to the study of Kaewwongsa et al. (n.d.),fresh banana stem and
fermented banana stem molasses has a significant effect on the growth
performance of the swine. However, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) has no
significant difference.
(Kaewwongsa et al., n.d.)
The high cost and limited availability of traditional feed ingredients are
major challenges for livestock producers in Hawaiʻs. Feed can constitute up to 70%
of the total annual operating costs (USDA, 2012). Due to Hawaiʻi’s limited land
availability and susceptibility to plant pests and diseases, producing grains and
other conventional animal feeds locally is not economically viable. The use of
banana silage, which utilizes locally available by-products, can significantly reduce
feed costs and support the sustainability of the livestock industry (DuPonte et al.,
2016).
References
Shah, M. (2023, May 26). Banana Stems - Nutrition Facts, Benefits, & Side
Effects. HealthifyMe.
https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/banana-stems/
Rochana, A., Dhalika, T., Budiman, A., & Kamil, K. A. (2017). Nutritional
Value of a Banana Stem (Musa paradisiaca Val) of Anaerobic
Fermentation Product Supplemented With Nitrogen, Sulphur and
Phosphorus Sources. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 16(10), 738–
742. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2017.738.742
Wina, E. (2001). Tanaman pisang sebagai pakan ternak ruminansia. Wartazoa.
Bull. Ilmu Petemakan Indonesia, 11: 20-27.
http://peternakan.litbang.pertanian.go.id/fullteks/wartazoa/wazo111-3.pdf
Kaewwongsa, W.*, A. Piladang, T. Woala, N. Suwunsri, & P. Suku,(n.d.).Effects of
banana stem supplemented on productive performance of finishing
pigs.Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 261-263.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eko-Nugroho-6/publication/301339634_Insig
ht_into_broiler_development_in_East_Java/links/571285ca08aeff315ba0d671/
Insight-into-broiler-development-in-East-Java.pdf#page=278
García, A., Dominguez, P.L. and Ly, J. 1991a. Estudios de composición
bromatológica de plantas de plátano (Musa spp) destinados a la alimentación
porcina. Resúmenes IV Congreso ALVEC Habana. p 108.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eko-Nugroho-6/publication/301339634_Insig
ht_into_broiler_development_in_East_Java/links/571285ca08aeff315ba0d671/
Insight-into-broiler-development-in-East-Java.pdf#page=278
DuPonte, M., Cowell, K., & Jha, R. (2016). Banana Silage: An Alternative Feed for
Swine. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/LM-31.pdf
USDA (2012). Farm Income and Costs: 2012 Farm Sector Income Forecast.
Retrieved July 2, 2012, from http://
webarchives.cdlib.org/sw1s17tt5t/http://ers.usda.gov/ Briefing/FarmIncome
/nationalestimates.htm.
