Banana (Musa acuminata) is grown abundantly in tropical and subtropical countries, and it is consumed as raw or processed. Banana is a significant source of nutrients, and it has been found to contain carbohydrates and other nutritional components. The present study was conducted to evaluate the proximate composition, antioxidant composition, and physicochemical properties of flour obtained from two different banana varieties (Musa acuminata cv. Pisang awak and Musa acuminata cv. Red dacca) and to evaluate the proximate composition and antioxidant composition of cookies prepared by incorporating both banana flours. Several sets of cookie samples were prepared separately by incorporating each banana flour where wheat flour and banana flour combinations were 85%-15%, 75%-25%, 70%-30%, and 0-100%. These samples were evaluated for sensory attributes, and two best cookie formulations were selected (70% wheat flour and 30% banana flour) for the analysis. Both Awak and Dacca had obtained similar amount of carbohydrates while Dacca had recorded a higher amount of moisture, fat, protein, ash, and phytonutrients such as polyphenols, antioxidants, and flavonoids. Dacca flour had obtained higher values for physicochemical properties like water holding capacity (WHC) and oil holding capacity (OHC). , , and values were evaluated for banana flour incorporated cookies. Lightness and the redness of cookies were prominent while yellowness was not prominent. There was no significant difference in texture parameters but hardness was higher in banana cookies as they contained a higher content of protein and fiber.

The perishable nature and seasonality of fruits make them harder to use in the food industry. Hence, the aim of this study is to preserve antioxidant-rich Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) fruit using different drying techniques and evaluate the efficiency of drying methods in terms of antioxidant capacity. Fruits were dried using five different drying methods, namely, sun drying, dehumidified air drying, oven drying, vacuum drying, and freeze-drying. Highest 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (DPPH%) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value retention were observed in vacuum drying and lowest in sun drying. Furthermore, during fruit drying, it is important to maintain the drying time as minimum as possible to minimize the loss of antioxidant activity. Therefore, vacuum drying was selected as the best drying method in preserving antioxidant-rich Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) fruit pulp.

Hydrocolloids can act as gluten substitutes to form the structural equivalents of the gluten network in gluten-free bakery products. “Purple yam” (Dioscorea alata) is one of the underutilized yams in Sri Lanka with high nutritional potential. The overall objective of this study was to develop gluten-free muffins using “Purple yam” (Dioscorea alata) flour with hydrocolloids (pectin, xanthan gum, and guar gum) and investigate the nutritional composition and selected properties of the muffins. The texture profiles of gluten-free muffins were analyzed through the following parameters: hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, etc. The chromameter values were obtained and sensory evaluations for gluten-free muffins were carried out. The highest moisture content was recorded in pectin-incorporated muffins ( ). The protein content of all three types of muffins was around 5%. The highest fat content was recorded in pectin-incorporated muffins ( ). The ash content of all three types of muffins was around 2%. Potassium was the most predominant element found in each muffin. The hardness of guar gum-incorporated muffin ( ) was greater than that of the pectin-incorporated one ( ). Xanthan gum-incorporated muffins had significantly decreased cohesiveness ( ). The highest springiness was obtained in pectin-incorporated muffin ( ). The descending order of the chewiness of muffin is