Abstract

Fred Omon Oboh75248*, Samuel Edosewele Ugheighele75249, Destiny Damiete Davidson75250 and Naomi Eseohe Ugbeva75251

The peels of Musa paradisiaca fruits were investigated for their nutritional and phytochemical compositions, as well as their antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities. Proximate analysis of their composition showed that the major constituents included moisture, carbohydrate, ash, crude fiber and crude fat, with a modest crude protein content. Photochemical present in the aqueous extract of the peels were identified as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, reducing sugars and amino acids. Additionally, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS) analysis of the aqueous extract showed the presence of 15 compounds, including phenolic compounds, sterols and sitoindosides. Notably, quercetin constituting about half of these identified compounds. The 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the unripe peel extract was significantly higher than that of the ripe peels, with IC₅₀=0.208 mg/L and IC₅₀=0.301 mg/mL, respectively. However, the unripe peels, which demonstrated activity comparable to that of the standard, gallic acid. The α-amylase inhibitory activity of the aqueous extracts of the peels was high. The unripe peels had a higher value IC₅₀=0.024 mg/L, same as acarbose compared to the ripe peels IC₅₀=0.088 mg/mL. The hydroethanolic extract of the unripe peels demonstrated a significantly lower α-amylase inhibitory activity IC₅₀=0.040 mg/mL compared to acarbose IC₅₀=0.024 mg/mL. However, it exhibited a far higher α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀=0.007 mg/mL and IC₅₀=0.021 mg/mL, respectively. These results support the utilization of Musa paradisiaca peels in human and animal nutrition, with a high potential for applying both aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of unripe fruit peels in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.