'Asupina'
'Asupina' is a cultivar that belongs to a group of bananas domesticated in the Pacific region, the Fei bananas. Like many of the cultivars in this group, it has high levels of provitamin A carotenoid that are transformed into vitamin A in the body. 'Asupina' supplied the APsy2a gene that was introduced to a Cavendish cultivar by scientists at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia[1]. The gene encodes the protein phytoene synthase, which plays a role in the pathway leading to the formation of α- and β-carotene.The proof of concept is part of a project to alleviate vitamin A deficiency in Uganda by engineering local cultivars[2].
Morphological characteristics
The pendulous bunch and molecular characterization data suggest hybridization with Musa acuminata[3].
The peel colour of the ripe fruit is orange. The texture of the fruit pulp is soft and its colour yellow/orange.
Agronomic traits, yield and fruit characteristics
An 'Asupina' accession collected in Papua New Guinea was evaluated on-station in Australia[4]. The first crop cycle took 14-15 months and the ratoon one 9-10 months. The height of the pseudostem varied from 3 to 4.5 m over two crop cycles, and the bunch weight from 5 to 20 kg.
Nutritional value
In a study comparing ten cultivars that had yellow to orange fruit with two Cavendish cultivars, 'Asupina' had the highest level of trans β-carotene, the most important provitamin A carotenoid (1,412 μg/100 g of fresh weight, or more than 20 times the level in the Cavendish cultivars). Consumption of 2 to 3 fingers of this cultivar could provide half of the estimated vitamin A requirements for a nonpregnant, nonlactating adult woman[5].
References
See also on this website
- Apantu
- Asupina
- Bira
- Bluggoe
- Bogoya
- Bungulan
- Figue Pomme
- Gerei Langi
- Giant Cavendish
- Grande Naine
- Gros Michel
- Huamoa
- Iholena lele
- Inarnibal
- Karat
- Kayinja
- Kisubi
- Kolale
- Lahi
- Lai
- Lakatan
- Latundan
- Maoli Maoli
- Mbwazirume
- Mysore
- Ney Poovan
- Obino l'Ewai
- Pei Chiao
- Pelipita
- Pisang Awak
- Pisang Jari Buaya
- Pisang Lilin
- Pisang Raja
- Pitogo
- Saba
- Sucrier
- Sukali Ndizi
- To'o
- Williams
- Yangambi Km5