abstract a method is provided for making a banana product comprising providing at least one unpeeled banana comprising banana peel and banana pulp, subjecting the at least one unpeeled banana to a heat treatment at a temperature and for a sufficient time to gelatinize starch present in the at At least one unpeeled banana to form at least one heat treated unpeeled banana, and comminuting the at least one heat treated unpeeled banana to form a banana puree. a functional food ingredient is also provided comprising a banana puree including banana pulp and optionally banana peel. According to certain aspects the banana puree is dried and therefore provided in the form of a dried banana powder or flake. the functional food ingredient optionally performs as one or more of various ingredient types, for instance as a gluten substitute, a dip or whip base, a binder, an emulsifying agent, and the like. ___________________ translation of abstract patent summary: "processing all or parts of species of the genus musa and related species". A method for producing a banana product is provided comprising providing at least one peeled banana comprising banana peel and banana pulp, subjecting the at least one peeled banana to a heat treatment at a temperature and for a time sufficient to gelatinize the starch present in the at least one peeled banana to form at least one heat-treated peeled banana and grind the at least one heat-treated peeled banana to form a banana puree. A functional food ingredient is also provided comprising a banana puree including banana pulp and optionally banana peel. In certain aspects, the banana puree is dried and thus provided as a dry powder or banana flakes. The functional food ingredient optionally serves as one or more of several types of ingredients, for example as a gluten substitute, a sauce or cream base, a binder, an emulsifying agent and the like.abstract a method is provided for making a banana product comprising providing at least one unpeeled
