Exploring Reduced-Fat Banana Flavored Milk for Sustainable Food Security: Physicochemical, Microbiological and Sensory Insights
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54987/jobimb.v13i2.1134Keywords:
Musa paradisiaca, Reduced-Fat Banana Milk Cube, Physicochemical Properties, Microbiological Analysis, Sensory PropertiesAbstract
This study explores the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of an innovative reduced-fat banana milk cube (RFBMC), designed to address food security by providing a nutritious, shelf-stable snack. The formulation, utilizing Pisang Berangan (Musa paradisiaca) puree and milk powder, aims to retain essential nutrients and improve long-term usability, ensuring more sustainable access to nutritious food. Four formulations, which are RFBMC 0 (0% BP), RFBMC 1 (20% BP), RFBMC 2 (30% BP), and RFBMC 3 (40% BP), were developed and analyzed to determine their properties. Physicochemical analyses, including hardness, pH, water solubility index, and proximate composition, revealed significant differences among the formulations, with RFBMC 1 exhibiting the most desirable characteristics. Sensory evaluations conducted with 50 panelists identified RFBMC 1 as the preferred formulation due to its balanced aroma, flavor, texture, and hardness, achieving the highest overall acceptance score. Microbiological analysis confirmed the safety of RFBMC 1 and RFBMC 0, with no detection of harmful pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., coliforms, or Staphylococcus. Although RFBMC 1 recorded a higher total plate count (532,000 CFU/g) compared to RFBMC 0 (1,000 CFU/g), it remained within acceptable limits. The low-fat content of RFBMC 1 (0.77%), its optimal carbohydrate content (36.40%), and high antioxidant levels (51.26%) contributed to its nutritional appeal and consumer preference. The findings reveal that reduced-fat banana milk cubes (RFBMC) serve as a healthier, sustainable alternative to traditional dairy snacks, meeting the growing consumer demand for functional foods and supporting food security by providing an accessible, nutrient-packed, and shelf-stable option.
References
Shian TE, Abdullah A, Musa KH, Maskat MY, Ghani MA. Antioxidant properties of three banana cultivars (Musa acuminata ‘Berangan’, ‘Mas’ and ‘Raja’) extracts. Sains Malays. 2012;41(3):319–324.
Syukriani L, Febjislami S, Lubis DS, Hidayati R, Asben A, Suliansyah I, Jamsari J. Physicochemical characterization of peel, flesh and banana fruit cv. Raja (Musa paradisiaca). IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2021;741(1):012006. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/741/1/012006
Nurhayati Y, Hanida Sedik SN, Mat Gani HS. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Pisang Berangan (Musa paradisiaca) pulp and peel extracts. J Agrobiotechnol. 2023;14(2):71–82. https://doi.org/10.37231/jab.2023.14.2.343
Ranjha MMN, Irfan S, Nadeem M, Mahmood S. A comprehensive review on nutritional value, medicinal uses, and processing of banana. Food Rev Int. 2020;38(2):199–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2020.1725890
Jain T, Bathla S. Packaging for convenience and maintaining nutritional value of foods. Int J Wellness. 2016;2(1):115–118.
Brennan L, Langley S, Verghese K, Lockrey S, Ryder M, Francis C, Phan-Le NT, Hill A. The role of packaging in fighting food waste: a systematised review of consumer perceptions of packaging. J Clean Prod. 2021;281:125276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125276
Tangkham W. Effects of cooking methods on sensory, chemical, and microbial characteristics of broccoli (Brassica oleracea). J Food Ind. 2019;3(1):63. https://doi.org/10.5296/jfi.v3i1.16039
Huth PJ, Park KM. Influence of dairy products and milk fat consumption on cardiovascular disease risk: a review of the evidence. Adv Nutr. 2012;3(3):266–285. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.112.002030
Mintel. Global Food and Drink Trends 2030. London: Mintel; 2020. Available from: https://www.mintel.com/global-food-and-drink-trends
Reyes-Jurado F, Soto-Reyes N, Dávila-Rodríguez M, Lorenzo-Leal AC, Jiménez-Munguía MT, Mani-López E, López-Malo A. Plant-based milk alternatives: types, processes, benefits, and characteristics. Food Rev Int. 2021;39(4):2320–2351. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2021.1952421
Roy S, Rathod G. Freeze-drying of dairy products. In: Waghmare RB, Kumar M, Panesar PS, editors. Freeze Drying of Food Products: Fundamentals, Processes and Applications. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2024. p.127–151. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119982098
Fusco V, Chieffi D, Fanelli F, Logrieco AF, Cho G, Kabisch J, Böhnlein CM, Franz CMAP. Microbial quality and safety of milk and milk products in the 21st century. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2020;19(4):2013–2049. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12568
Lawless HT, Heymann H. Sensory Evaluation of Food: Principles and Practices. New York: Springer; 2013. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6488-5
Shahidi F, Zhong Y. Measurement of antioxidant activity. J Funct Foods. 2015;18:757–781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2015.01.047
Hruby A, Hu FB. The epidemiology of obesity: a big picture. Pharmacoeconomics. 2015;33(7):673–689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40273-014-0243-x
Qi PX, Ren D, Xiao Y, Tomasula PM. Effect of homogenization and pasteurization on the structure and stability of whey protein in milk. J Dairy Sci. 2015;98(5):2884–2897. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8920
Li Q, Zhao Z. Interfacial characteristics, colloidal properties and storage stability of dairy protein-stabilized emulsion as a function of heating and homogenization. RSC Adv. 2020;10(20):11883–11891. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA00677G
Chetachukwu AS, Thongraung C, Yupanqui CT. Development of reduced-fat coconut yoghurt: physicochemical, rheological, microstructural and sensory properties. Int J Dairy Technol. 2019;72(4):524–535. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0307.12600
Wanikorn B, Samakradhamrongthai RS, Yupanqui CT. Physicochemical, nutritional, microbiological and sensory qualities of the formulated reduced-fat coconut milk cube. J Food Technol Siam Univ. 2022;17(2):96–106.
Jokar A, Azizi MH. Formulation and production of persimmon milk drink and evaluation of its physicochemical, rheological, and sensorial properties. Food Sci Nutr. 2022;10(4):1126–1134. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2772
AOAC International. Official Methods of Analysis. 17th ed. Gaithersburg (MD): AOAC Int.; 2000.
Ezeonu CS, Tatah VS, Nwokwu CD, Jackson SM. Quantification of physicochemical components in yoghurts from coconut, tiger nut and fresh cow milk. Adv Biotechnol Microbiol. 2016;1(5):10–19080. https://doi.org/10.19080/AIBM.2016.01.555573
Stobiecka M, Król J, Brodziak A. Antioxidant activity of milk and dairy products. Animals (Basel). 2022;12(3):245. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030245
AOAC International. Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International. 19th ed. Rockville (MD): AOAC Int.; 2014.
Stading M. Physical properties of a model set of solid, texture-modified foods. J Texture Stud. 2021;52(5–6):578–586. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtxs.12592
Pathare PB, Opara UL, Al-Said FA. Colour measurement and analysis in fresh and processed foods: a review. Food Bioprocess Technol. 2012;6(1):36–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-012-0867-9
Phosanam A, Chandrapala J, Zisu B, Adhikari B. Storage stability of powdered dairy ingredients: a review. Dry Technol. 2021;39(11):1529–1553. https://doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2021.1910955
Begum N, Qin C, Ahanger MA, Raza S, Khan MI, Ashraf M, Ahmed N, Zhang L. Role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant growth regulation: implications in abiotic stress tolerance. Front Plant Sci. 2019;10:1068. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01068
Liu J, Meenu M, Xu B. Effect of unripe banana flour and wheat gluten on physicochemical characteristics and sensory properties of white salted noodles. J Food Process Preserv. 2020;44(7). https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.14513
Watharkar RB, Chakraborty S, Srivastav PP, Srivastava B. Foaming and foam mat drying characteristics of ripe banana (Musa balbisiana [BB]) pulp. J Food Process Eng. 2021;44(8). https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpe.13726
O’Sullivan TA, Schmidt KA, Kratz M. Whole-fat or reduced-fat dairy product intake, adiposity, and cardiometabolic health in children: a systematic review. Adv Nutr. 2022;11(4):928–950. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmaa011
Farooq M, Khan I, Ilyas N, Saboor A, Kakar K, Bakhtiar M, et al. Study on the physico-chemical characteristics of value-added banana products. Int J Environ Agric Res. 2018;4(4):83–87. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1238806
de Lacerda de Oliveira L, de Carvalho MV, Melo L. Health-promoting and sensory properties of phenolic compounds in food. Ceres. 2014;61(Suppl):764–779. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-737x201461000002
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Norliza binti Julmohammad, Sharifah Syahirah binti Abdul Rahman, Christmayrelda Dianne Ambuor, Lim Yong Qi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
