Comparative Evaluation of Some Nutrient Contents and Antifungal Properties of Ground Musa paradisiaca (Plantain) Peels and Leaves

Abstract

Musa paradisiaca (plantain) fruit peels and the plant leaves may have some nutrients and antifungal properties. Thus, millimeter, mm) against Candida albicans, however, the activity of the ethanol extract of the leaves (15.67±0.58) was higher (p<0.05) than that of the ethanol extract of the peels and the aqueous extract of the peels and leaves. The difference in activity against C. albicans between the samples extracts in terms of either the same or the different extracting solvent was significant (p<0.05) but the overall difference between the samples compared to the extracting solvents (±0.67) was the same hence non-significant (p>0.05). A similar trend was recorded for the activity of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of the peels and leaves against P. notatum . Thus, the plantain peels and leaves could be alternative source for vitamin C. The extracts (aqueous and ethanol) had activity against C. albicans and P. notatum hence may be useful in managing such pathogen-induced ailments. Overall negligible difference in activity against either C. albicans or P. notatum in terms of samples and the extracting solvents was suggested and this may be an underlying useful trend for comparing the overall antimicrobial activity of different samples and solvents, hence warrants a follow up.