A new study reveals that a chemical has been found in bananas which may help prevent the transmission of virus causing AIDS.

The scientists from the University of Michigan said that the chemical lectin in bananas has been found as effective as two anti-HIV drugs, when tested in a laboratory. The scientists are now examining how this lectin could help combat AIDS.

Condoms and drugs are still in use to prevent the transmission of virus during sexual intercourse that causes AIDS. Scientists revealed that women living in poor countries require other forms of treatment to prevent the disease.

Lectin may help prevent the disease as it is very useful and is less expensive.

Lectins are sugar-binding proteins which play a vital role in recognition phenomena. This protein helps to identify the virus.

"That’s particularly true in developing countries where women have little control over sexual encounters so development of a long-lasting, self-applied microbicide is very attractive”, revealed study Senior Author Dr. David Marvovitz.