Ultrastructure and energy dispersive spectroscopy-based elemental analysis of the fruit exocarps of Musa sinensis L. (Banana) and Musa paradisiaca L. (Plantain) (Musaceae)

Barnabas O Oyeyinka,Anthony J Afolayan

doi:10.15835/nbha49312262

Abstract

Ultrastructural investigation and analysis of the elemental spectra composition of Musa sinensis L. and Musa paradisiaca L. exocarp (peels) was carried out using the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) respectively. Microstructures such as interlocked, polyhedral epidermal cells, ellipsoid-shaped stomata, guard cells, intercellular space, anticlinal-patterned walls and subsidiary cells were observed, with direct and indirect implications in the deposition of important primary and secondary metabolites, thus connoting some medicinal significance. Furthermore, the energy dispersive x-ray spectra revealed the presence of some important elements such as potassium (K), iron (Fe), carbon (C), oxygen (O), silicon (Si) and gold (Au), with high to relatively high carbon and oxygen peaks consistently observed in Musa sinensis and Musa paradisiaca. In the same vein, the relative similarity observed in the constituents of quite a number of the elemental spectra (carbon, oxygen, silicon, gold) in M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca peels, also reflects species relatedness between M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca.

Highlights

The Musa genus, an extraction of the Musaceae family is membered by M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca
Guard cells and subsidiary cells were observed in M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca (Figure 2e, 3c, 3d, 3e)
The energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis revealed the spectra presence of elements such as carbon (C), oxygen (O), silicon (Si) and gold (Au) on M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca exocarp, with the inclusion of the potassium and iron in M. sinensis

Summary

Introduction

The Musa genus, an extraction of the Musaceae family is membered by M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca. They have original nativity in south-eastern Asia, with distribution in several parts of the tropics and subtropics (Ploetz et al, 2007; Nayar et al, 2010). M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca have economically and nutritionally important fruits due to their staple diet status, which earns them their ethnomedicinal value (Sampath Kumar, 2012; Pereira and Maraschin, 2015). M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca possess seedless fruits (Figure 1). The fruit fingers are collectively arranged, forming bunches, with each fruit covered and protected by an outer skin referred to as the peel (exocarp). Natural product-derived medicines require standardization and dose regulation

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Conclusion