Distribution Studies of Some Secondary Metabolites in Different Parts of Four Different Cultivars of Banana Plants and Their Correlation with Antioxidant Property

Abstract

Introduction: Different parts of banana plants like fruits, flowers, stems are consumed in many parts of India and leaves are used as natural food wrappers. The distribution of some secondary metabolites like the extractable hydrophilic polyphenolic compounds (EHPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), total hydrolysable tannin content (HTC) as well as the DPPH free radical scavenging activity (antioxidative property) in fruit, stem, flower and leaf of four different cultivars of banana plants have been studied to have a part-wise correlation distribution picture between the above constituents and the free radical scavenging activities.  Materials & Methods: Powdered and air dried parts of each of four cultivars was the sample for the entire analysis and experiment w.r.t. the above constituents. Results & Discussion; Despite of having lower polyphenolics, the Cavendish fruit revealed the best antioxidant property among all the fruits under study. The fruits of Baby/Nino banana have richer polyphenols and tannins but lesser content of flavonoids. Moreover, the higher tannin content may to some extent lessen the antioxidative efficiency of the fruits of Baby/Nino. The Plantain flowers having higher EHPC, TFC and also showing highest antioxidant property will be better to be consumed as a food. Manzano stems may be the recommended cultivar for consumption among the stems. Manzano leaves depicting a higher anti-oxidant activity than all may be recommended as an effective food wrapping material during cooking. Conclusion: Cavendish fruits, Plantain flowers, Manzano stems may be the recommended plant parts for consumption as food, whereas, Manzano leaves may be the best food wrapping material.