Abstract

The leaves of Musa paradisiaca are used in the treatment of diverse ailments including diabetes mellitus and diarrhoea and hence, the anti-oxidant vitamins, phytochemicals and proximate composition of the ethanol extract of its leaves were investigated using standard methods. The results show that the concentrations of vitamins A, C and E in the extract were found to be 1.972 ± 0.013 μg/g, 0.686 ± 0.030 and 1.884 ± 0.042 mg/100 g, respectively. The qualitative phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, proteins, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, fats and oil, steroids and terpenoids. Glycosides, reducing sugars, resins and acidic compounds were not detected in the extract. Similarly, the quantitative phytochemical analyses of the extract showed that the concentrations of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and steroids were found to be 0.374 ± 0.026, 0.581 ± 0.010, 0.198 ± 0.004, 1.464 ± 0.071 and 0.271 ± 0.007 mg/g respectively while the percentage contents of moisture, fibre, ash, fats, proteins and carbohydrates were found to be 44.51 ± 0.21, 3.86 ± 0.07, 2.58 ± 0.06, 2.23 ± 0.05, 16.81 ± 0.12 and 27.86 ± 0.17 respectively. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that the leaves of M. paradisiaca possess nutritional and health benefits and thus, substantiate their medicinally multidimensional applications in different parts of the world.

Key words: Musa paradisiaca, anti-oxidant vitamins, phytochemicals, proximate composition.