Vol 4 , Issue 3 , July - September 2016 | Pages: 1-7 | Research Paper
Received: January 20, 2016 | Revised: June 10, 2016 | Accepted: September 28, 2016 | Published Online: September 15, 2016
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Enset (Ensete ventricosum) belongs to family Musaceae is a plant native to Ethiopia, it is often called false banana for its close resemblance to banana plant. Enset is drought-tolerant, multi-purpose crop which has been part of a sustainable cropping system with high agro-biodiversity in Ethiopia. It could improve food and health security in the country especially where other options is low. Enset plant contains starch and other minor/trace elements which contributes in its nutraceutical applications. Starch is major constituents of the plant and play crucial role in pharmaceutical activities including: Tablet binder and disintegrant, Pharmaceutical gelling agent, Sustained release agent. Nutrional values and major food products of enset, namely Koch, amicho and bulla along with medicinal values encompasses; anti-microbial, anti-nematodal diseases of humans, expel of placenta, healing bone fracture are some nutraceutical applications of enset.
Keywords
Enset; Enset starch; Pharmaceuticals; Nutraceuticals.