The Proximate Analysis, Mineral Composition, Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Ripe and Unripe Peel Extract of Musa Paradisiaca

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Musa paradisiaca (Plantain) is used as a traditional therapeutic medicinal plant employed in various diseases. This study was carried out to evaluate the nutraceutical potentials of the ripe and unripe peels of Musa paradisiaca. The phytochemical screening as well as antimicrobial activity of various extracts (methanol and ethanol) of ripe and unripe peels of Musa paradisiaca was also evaluated. Methods: Proximate and mineral analyses of the samples were performed as per the standard methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Preliminary phytochemical screening of methanol and ethanol extracts of the peels was also carried out in accordance with standard methods. The antimicrobial activities of methanol and ethanol extracts of M. paradisiaca peel were tested in-vitro against isolates of clinical origin by agar well diffusion method. Results: Phytochemical analysis of both peel extracts indicated the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, starch, steroids, and reducing sugars. The mineral analysis indicated the presence of essential minerals such as iron, zinc, copper and manganese. The fat, protein, crude fibre and carbohydrate composition values of the unripe peel extract were found higher than the ripe samples. The ethanol and methanol extracts of both the ripe and unripe peels of M. paradisiaca used at various concentrations showed no antibacterial activities against the organisms. Conclusion: This study concludes that ripe and unripe plantain fruit peels thought to be of little or no significance could serve as nutraceuticals and a medicinally vital material in animal health and probably humans.