Bananas Could Be on the Verge of Extinction

One of everyone's favourite common fruits, the banana, could be extinct within a decade according to new research.

The threat is coming from something called the Sigatoka Complex, made up of three fungal diseases, which poses a huge risk to the world's banana supply, according to the online journal PLOS Genetics.

American plant pathologist Ioannis Stergiopoulos said the Sigatoka Complex's fungal diseases - yellow Sigatoka, eumusae leaf spot, and black Sigatoka - could potentially wipe out supply in the next five to 10 years.

Black Sigatoka poses the greatest risk, capable of not only shutting down the immune system of the banana, but also producing enzymes to break down the plant's cell walls.

The yellow treat is packed full of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, niacin and riboflavin.