Content of free phenolic compounds in bananas from tenerife (canary islands) and ecuador

Determination of free gallic acid and catechin (cianidanol) in banana samples was optimized using a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with on-line photodiode array detection. This method was applied for cultivars of bananas (Gran Enana and Pequena Enana) harvested in Tenerife (Canary Islands) and for bananas (Gran Enana) from Ecuador. The contents of catechin and gallic acid in bananas from Ecuador were higher (P<0.05) and lower than in bananas produced in Tenerife. Variations in the contents of these polyphenolic compounds in the bananas from Tenerife according to cultivation method (greenhouse and outdoors), farming style (conventional and organic) and region of production (north and south) were observed.