Antioxidant Activity of Flower Buds of Musa spp. Sold and Consumed as Vegetables

Abstract

ABSTRACTBanana (Musa spp.) is normally used for its fruit. In some indigenous cultures other parts of the plant are used as vegetables. M. markkui Gogoi & Borah, M. itinerens Cheesman and M. aurantiaca Baker may have medicinal properties, but little is known about their biochemistry. Methanol extracts of flower buds were evaluated for antioxidant potential by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydazyl and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), and total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were determined. The methanol extract phenolic content ranged from 54.12 ± 1.0 to 163.99 ± 1.2 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)·g−1 and flavonoid content ranged from 314.5 ± 2.2 to 1130.9 ± 3.1 µg rutin equivalent (RE)·g−1, with no correlation between total antioxidant potential and phenolic and flavonoid content. M. itinerens was most purchased (40–60 rupees per piece) and consumed. Flowers from the Musa species may supply significant amounts of natural antioxidants to the human diet.