Iron-fortified klutuk banana (Musa balbisiana Colla) flour supplementation prevented growth failure by suppressing FGF21 in malnourished rats

Purpose – Malnutrition during childhood precedes growth failure and affects the child’s well-being later
in life. This study aims to investigate the potency of iron-fortified klutuk banana (Musa balbisiana Colla)
flour on growth parameters and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) expression in malnourished rat
model.
Design/methodology/approach – Rats were allocated into normal control (NC), untreated malnutrition
(MC), malnutrition þ iron-fortified klutuk banana flour (IBF) and malnutrition þ Indonesian Governmentissued
biscuit (GB). Malnutrition was induced by an isoenergetic low-protein diet for five weeks. The IBF and
GB groups were supplemented with IBF 1.2 g/200 gBWand GB 1.2 g/200 gBW, respectively, via gavage daily
for three weeks. The body weight and length, the levels of plasma and liver FGF21 and red blood cell indices
were analyzed.
Findings – After three weeks of supplementation, the IBF group showed higher body weight (245613.6 g
vs 201.8616.3 g; p = 0.0004) and length (20.960.5 cm vs 19.860.5 cm; p = 0.021) compared with the
untreated group. The plasma FGF21 level decreased in the IBF group (p = 0.034). The IBF group altered mean
corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, suggesting the IBF might attenuate malnutritioninduced
anemia. Overall, the IBF prevented growth failure in malnourished condition. This might be
mediated by the suppression of FGF21 expression, along with the prevention of malnutrition and anemia.
Originality/value – This study provides preliminary information about the potential use of rarely
consumed banana, klutuk banana, as a supplement to treat malnutrition. This study might help the
developing countries to eliminate the widespread malnutrition in economically challenged communities.