| abstract |
PURPOSE: To obtain a potassium supplementary agent containing an extract from the pericarp or the whole fruit of a banana or a dried substance thereof as an active ingredient with ultralow contents of Na and Cl. n CONSTITUTION: The pericarp of a banana or, together with flesh, is pulverized and, as necessary, subjected to suitable enzymic treatment. An extracting liquid (preferably ethanol and/or acetone) in an amount of up to 500 wt.%, preferably 10-200 wt.% based on the solid weight of the pulverized substance is then added thereto and liquid is separated from solids to provide an extract, which, as necessary, is dried. The K content of the resultant extract amounts to even about 14%. The molar ratio Na/K is within the range of 0.0001-0.1 and the molar ratio K/Cl is within the range of 2.0-20. Both the contents of the K and Cl are remarkably low. The extraction efficiency of the K can be enhanced by carrying out the enzymic treatment to simultaneously prevent browning. n COPYRIGHT: (C)1991,JPO&Japio |