BANANAS AS FOOD 117 



tion of a leathery coagulum of casein, and satisfies the 

 appetite of hungry infants more effectually than simple 

 milk dilutions. 



Banana flour can be obtained under the name of 

 "Bananine," of which the Lancet* speaks highly in the 

 following terms : " There can be no doubt of the nutritious 

 character of banana flour, and the starch in it is peculiarly 

 easy of solution and digestion in the alkaline digestive 

 juices of the body. Banana flour is readily dissolved, for 

 example, by the saliva. Our analysis of ' Bananine ' gave 

 the following results : moisture, 14-60 per cent. ; mineral 

 matter, 2-20 per cent. ; proteid, 19-22 per cent. ; fat, 2 

 per cent. ; and carbohydrate, 61-98 per cent. The flour 

 has the peculiar flavour and odour of fresh banana fruit. 

 We have received also a sample loaf, made with ' Bananine ' 

 flour. The flour proves to make a very acceptable loaf, 

 uniform in texture and permanently moist, and of a golden 

 colour." 



It has been found difficult to make banana bread unless 

 the banana flour is mixed with a laxge proportion of wheat 

 flour, but bread of an agreeable taste has been obtained by 

 making a paste of the banana flour, and then submitting 

 to the action of steam under pressure. 



" Bananine " is prepared by a Liverpool firm, the 

 Banana Bread Flour Food, Ltd., 16 Brunswick Street. 

 Banana flour and other banana preparations are also 

 manufactured by Pattinson's Banana Fruit Foods, Ltd., 

 Anerley, London, S.E. The banana flour is vouched for 

 in their circulars as follows : " Dr. Conrad Stich, the food 

 expert, of Leipzig, writes : ' I have carefully analysed and 

 tested your banana flour, and have noticed how peculiarly 

 soluble it is. By the addition of hot water the whole of 

 the flour is made perfectly soluble and in a form very 

 suitable for digestion. Four-fifths of the flour consists of 

 soluble carbohydrates. It is particularly suited for patients 

 recovering from typhoid fever, and is excellent in cases of 

 choluria, dysentery, and similar stomachic complaints. In 

 * The Lancet, Oct. 17, 1903. 



