Abstract
The study has been aimed to evaluate and compare phytochemical content and the antioxidant activity in peel extracts of nine local varieties of banana, i.e. Musa sapientum species. Ethanolic extract of peels of these varieties were subjected to in vitro free radical scavenging assays like DPPH, ABTS and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay. Total antioxidant capacity assay to confirm the antioxidant potential and phytochemical content such as total phenols, flavonoids were also determined. The results obtained were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and DMRT analysis. The peel ex- tracts of all the nine varieties of banana exhibited significant antioxidant and phytochemical activities with Musa spp – Blueggoe (Monthan) - AAB and Musa spp – Rasthali – AAB showing highest free radical scavenging activity and Musa spp – Karpooravalli – ABB, Musa spp – Rasthali – AAB, Musa spp - Ney Poovan (Kadali) – AB and Musa spp – Mysore (Poovan) – AAB having highest phytochemical content. The study suggests that peel extracts of these banana varieties could be useful to combat free radical mediated diseases.
Highlights
Free radicals are continuously produced in our body either naturally or on exposure to environmental stress as well as other factors and can be implicated in many diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, aging and other age related problems [1]
The edible fruit cultivars are a man-made complex based on two wild diploid species originating from South-East Asia: Musa acuminata Colla (AA), which is highly polymorphous, with spindly plants that grow in clumps, and Musa balbisiana Colla (BB), a homogeneous hardy plant with a massive pseudo-trunk
The values represent the total antioxidant capacity of banana peel extracts expressed in terms of equivalents of ascorbic acid
Summary
Free radicals are continuously produced in our body either naturally or on exposure to environmental stress as well as other factors and can be implicated in many diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, aging and other age related problems [1]. Antioxidants are agents, which scavenge the free radicals and prevent the damage caused by them. Inspite of these in-built defense mechanisms, it seems more meaningful to utilize extra antioxidants available in diets, especially from fruits, vegetables and whole grains [2]. Due to their minimal side effects, there are growing interests in using natural products for preventive and therapeutic medicine [3]. There are diploid, triploid or tetraploid genome groups. The main genome groups are AA, AB, AAA, AAB and ABB [4]
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