Aseptic Banana Puree Processing Plant

Abstract

Banana is grown in tropical countries all the year round at a low cost compared with its price in developed countries with temperate or cold climates. Banana puree began to be marketed in developed countries when the United Fruit Company installed a plant with the trade name Chiquita Banana in La Lima, Honduras, 20 years ago. Banana is normally grown on the coast, at sea-level, with a yield of 18-20 tonnes per hectare. A typical bunch of bananas weighs approximately 22 kg; therefore each tonne consists of 42-45 bunches. All these figures are based on the Nanicao variety or Gros Michel variety, which are the most commercialized and produce the best puree.