310 
PER-CENTAGE COMPOSITION of BANANA MEALS. 
A. E IE | C. 
Jamaiea. | Surinam. | Surinam 
| 
Water : : : . 15:5 14:3 | 13:1 
Albuminoids (true) - - 935 2:3 | 3:3 
Starch, sugar, gum, &c. - LEA. 79:5 58:7 
Oil - - - = 1:0 7 5:5 
Fibre - E - - - T j 9 8:7 
Ash - - - B 2*6 | 2*8 10:7 
| 
Nutrient ratio - - ro 1:35 1:22 
Nutrient value - - 82 | 83 74 
It is noticeable how widely the nutrient ratio (or proportion = 
albuminoids to starch plus the starch-equivalen t of the oil) diverges 
all these meals from the ratio of a perfect food, which should show the 
proportion of about one to five. In the analyses by Mr. L. E. Asser 
the above divergence — eie: marked, for he has caleulated the 
whole of the nitrogen present as if it existed in the albuminoid form. 
I find that this is vg from being the ease. In his Surinam sample 2 (B. 
above) 71 per cent. only of the nitrogen present is albuminoid; in his 
sample 5, made fronit the peels, 77 per cent. In other respects my 
results and his agree well. 
I would further remark that sample A. (from J auini@a} was probably 
made from fruits still more unripe than those which were used in the 
preparation of B. and C. For in this meal no more than 56 per cent. 
of the total nitrogen exists in the albuminoid form, the remaining 
44 per cent. being + present i in the less highly elaborated state of amides, 
&c., the food value of which is either nif or very slight. 
In all the above samples starch is more abundant than sugar; the 
proportion of the latter increases as the fruit ripens. 
The constituent set down as “oil” in the table of analyses is the 
ether-extraet of the meals. In the ease of C, the meal prepared from 
the peels, it consists partly of wax and colouring matter 
In the ash of the meal prepared from peels a notable quantity of 
manganese was found. Traces of copper occurred in all the samples. 
Yours truly, 
(Signed) A. H. CHURCH. 
Samples of the unripe fruits of the plantain, dried whole without the 
peel and slightly scraped, are in the Kew Museum from British Guiana. 
Jamaica both of a dark and light colour. The latter sent by Mr. 
Chitty i us of excellent texture and quality. It has been in the Museum 
nearly 35 years. 
