Banana, the Fruit of Life

Human has consumed banana long time ago. The word "banana" derives from Arab language i.e. maus. Linneus then included banana into Musaceae family, to give appreciation to Antonius Mozes, a private doctor of Roman Emperor (Octaviani Agustinus) that suggested to eat banana. That is why in latin language, banana is called as Musa paradisiacal.

According to history, banana is originated from Southeast Asia. Moslem missionaries then spread it to West Africa, South America and Middle America. Today banana is exist at any part of the world. Some of the world outstanding countries as banana producing countries are Brazil, Philipina, Panama, Honduras, India, Equador, Thailand, Caribbean, Columbia, Mexico, Venezuela and Hawaii. Indonesia is one of banana producing countries number 4 in the world.

In Asia, Indonesia is entered as the biggest banana producing country. 50 percent of Asian banana is imported from Indonesia. Banana-producing centres in Indonesia are: West Java (Sukabumi, Cianjur, Bogor, Purwakarta, Serang), Central Java (Demak, Pati, Banyumas, Sidorejo, Kesugihan, Kutosari, Pringsurat, Pemalang), East Java (Banyuwangi, Malang), North Sumatra (Padangsidempuan, Natal, Samosir, Tarutung), West Sumatra (Sungyang, Baso, Pasaman), South Sumatra (tebing Tinggi, OKI, OKU, Baturaja), Lampung (Kayu Agung, Metro), Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Bali and West Nusa Tenggara.

Multirole Plant
Banana is very familiar to Indonesian society. Many traditional ritualities use banana as a symbol. banana always regenerates itself before fruiting and dying, by sprouting buds which growing on its root. By this way banana can exist to bring benefits for human. The way banana live then inspirates human to make it as a noble symbol in a traditional wedding ritual in Indonesia.

Appropriate tropical climate and humus-contained land may enable banana plants spreading widely in Indonesia. Today, most of Indonesian regions become banana-producing centres.

Banana can be mentioned as a life fruit. Kalium content existed in it is abundant so it can degrade blood pressure, keep heart healthy, and smoothen oxygen delivery to brain. Because if blood, heart, and brain is bothered, it truly threatens human life.

In other hand, high vitamin A content in it can improve body durability against ISPA, scaly skin and blindness. Other benefit of banana is it can be staple food substitution, so it lessens Indonesian dependence to rice.

Taken with courtesy the writing of Prof. DR. Made Astawan
Lecturer at Departemen Teknologi, Pangan Dan Gizi-IPB