Optimization of banana bar formulation to provide a nourishing snack for toddlers using response surface methodology

Abstract The development of banana-based snack bars that fulfill the nutritional requirement for toddlers is required. In this study, we analyzed the effects of different concentrations of banana puree, banana flour and potato starch on the characteristics of inulin, dietary fiber, protein, and potassium as well as the hardness of banana bars using response surface methodology. In total, 14 experimental models were generated using a simplex lattice design. Results demonstrated that the quadratic model appeared to be the best fitting model for assessing dietary fiber and hardness response of ba...