The CIEL⁄
a⁄
b⁄ and CIELCH colour characteristics varied signifi-
cantly for all pretreatment concentration in UBF of all cultivars
except for Luvhele UBF were there was no significant difference
in the a⁄ values across all organic pretreatment and varying pretreatment
concentration (Table 1). L⁄ values of all UBF pretreated
with lactic acid was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than flours pretreated
with other organic acid. UBF for all non-commercial banana
cultivars also recorded significantly low a⁄ values for lactic acid
pretreatment across all concentrations. Recorded low a⁄ and high
L⁄ values in all pretreated UBF can be attributed to the antibrowning
effects of organic acid pretreatment. Organic acid pretreatment
helps prevent antibrowning discolouration of foods which leads to
unpleasant and undesirable colour characteristics. Colour stability
and maintenance of pink and red colouration of pork and beef have
been reported by the action of dip treatment in ascorbic and citric
acid solutions