Influence of Variety and Growing Location on the Proximate Composition of Pulp and Peel of Central Kenya Bananas

Bananas (Musa spp.) are an important staple and commercial crop in Kenya, contributing significantly to food and nutrition security and generating income for farmers. There is limited information on the combined influence of cultivar and geographical location on the nutrient composition of banana pulp and peel under Kenyan agro-ecological conditions. This study evaluated the effects of variety and growing location on the proximate composition of three banana varieties (Uganda Green, FHIA 17, and Williams Hybrid) at the ripe and unripe stages across Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties. Samples were collected using a factorial design (3 varieties × 3 locations × 2 maturity stages) with three biological replicates. Moisture, crude protein, crude fat, ash and dietary fiber (soluble and insoluble) were determined using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) standard methods. Total carbohydrates were calculated by difference. Data were analyzed using a three-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference test at p < 0.05. Results showed that both variety and location significantly (p < 0.05) influenced nutrient composition. Embu samples generally recorded higher fat, protein, fiber content, while Meru samples of unripe FH 17 and Uganda Green showed relatively higher ash content. All samples of the three varieties from Tharaka Nithi consistently recorded higher carbohydrate levels in both pulp and peel. Ripening significantly reduced protein, fat and fiber contents, while increasing moisture and carbohydrate levels, reflecting starch hydrolysis and tissue softening. Banana peels, particularly at the unripe stage, exhibited higher levels of protein, fiber and ash than pulp, indicating their potential as a valuable resource for food and feed applications. These findings demonstrate that banana nutritional composition is strongly influenced by the interaction between genotype, environment and maturity stage. Strategic selection of banana varieties and growing locations can enhance their role in food systems, value addition, and nutrition-sensitive interventions, while promoting the use of peels can reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency. Key words: banana, variety, geographical location, proximate composition, pulp, peel, Kenya