Banana and plantain contribute significantly to food security and amelioration of malnutrition, earning their status as staples in several localities of tropical and sub-tropical regions. The distribution of metabolites within the various parts also remains as a key essential to their nutritive and therapeutic potential. This study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional and mineral composition of the flesh, peel, and peel extract components of Musa sinensis L. and Musa paradisiaca L. fruits as well as their nutritional and therapeutic potentials. Proximate and antinutritional analyses were carried out using standard analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), while the mineral constituents were evaluated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Proximate analysis revealed that the flesh and peel of M. sinensis L. and M. paradisiaca L. contain substantial amounts of moisture, fiber, carbohydrates, and low fat content, while minerals K, Mg, Ca, Na, P, and N were substantially concentrated in the peels and peel extracts in particular. The antinutrients alkaloid, oxalate, saponin, and phytate were detected in safe amounts according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The study points out that the peel and its derivative extract, as well as the flesh of M. sinensis L. and M. paradisiaca L. are to be put to more relevant human nutritional and therapeutic use.Primary metabolites from plants like fatty acids, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and amino acids are central in the developmental and physiological processes in plants, while secondary metabolites (e.g., phenolics, carotenoids, sterols) are involved in plant protection and pollinator attraction [9,10].The banana (Musa sinensis L.) and plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) belong to the Musaceae family and have been available for human use for ages [11,12]. They have marked morphological similarities and are of economic and nutritional value. Banana and plantain are majorly tropical plants, but do not grow in temperate regions. They grow predominantly in the continents of Asia, South America, and the tropical African sub-continent [13]. M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca fruits are essentially good potassium-based dietary items and serve as staples in many global cultures. Potassium is useful in ensuring proper muscular functioning [14]. M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca fruits are utilized in beverage production, especially among subsistence farmers [15], while other parts, including the roots and flowers are medicinally useful.The nutritional and therapeutic values of M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca fruit flesh are undisputedly clear. However, this study was undertaken to evaluate and establish the nutritive, therapeutic, and pharmacological potentials of M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca flesh, peels, and their derivative dietary product, to improve the dietary acceptability and reduce biological wastage respectively of their peels (exocarp).
Results
Proximal Content