366 The Philippine Journal of Science 
be considered as a nutrient, though it plays an important part 
in food as a diluent and solvent. The fat, protein, and carbo- 
hydrates contribute in varying degree to the supply of fuel for 
the production of heat and energy. Besides this universal func- 
tion, the fat and the carbohydrates serve especially to furnish 
fatty tissue in the body, while the protein is the chief source 
of muscular tissue. The organic acids are minor, though im- 
portant, constituents of food. Because of their conversion into 
carbonates within the body, they are useful in furnishing 
the proper degree of alkalinity to the blood and to the various 
other fluids, besides being of particular value as appetizers. 
The mineral or inorganic salts are necessary to supply material 
for the teeth and bones, besides having an important place in 
the formation of hemoglobin in the blood and in the cellular 
structure of the entire body. 
Philippine bananas, as shown by the analyses, are essentially 
carbohydrate foods, the percentages of protein and fat being 
correspondingly low. Their nutritive value lies chiefly in the 
sugars they contain, although the acids and salts exercise an 
important function in the digestive processes. The sugars are 
present, both as reducing and as sucrose, which in the gloria, 
or ternate, as it is sometimes called, reach a maximum total 
amount of 27.03 per cent. In reality this variety has the high- 
est fuel value. 
Although the banana is rich in carbohydrates, its low con- 
tent of protein indicates that it is not a well-balanced ration, 
but should be eaten with beans, peas, or other vegetables rich 
in protein, or with lean meat, in order to secure a proper quan- 
tity of protein in the diet. 
It is worthy of mention that from the green fruits of the 
saba and the sabang Iloco I have successfully prepared good 
banana flour and banana coffee which, although not of the 
same quality as our commercial flour and coffee, make good 
substitutes for them and have excellent food values. 
Therefore, the Philippine banana is not only important com- 
mercially, but also valuable as part of our daily food. 
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