Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Potential of Methanol Extract of Banana Blossom

Musa sp. (Banana) belongs to the Musaceae family, one the largest flowering plant cultivated throughout the world. Banana blossom (flower) commonly mentioned as heart of the banana, with a high nutrient content is consumed in Asian countries. This study was aimed to analyze the phytochemical constituents and to assess the antioxidant potential of methanol extract of banana blossom. Banana blossom was procured from the local market dried, powdered and extracted with methanol by cold percolation method.The presence of phytochemicals in the methanol extract of banana flower particularly alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and terpenoids were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography while, glycosides and saponins were analyzed by thin layer chromatography. The results revealed a higher concentration of flavonoids (1934 mcg/gm) followed by phenols (1545mcg/gm), glycosides (295.5mcg/gm), terpenoids (198.5mcg/gm) steroids (3.45mcg/gm), alkaloids (0.984mcg/gm), and saponins (0.33mcg/gm) in the methanol extract of banana blossom. The antioxidant activity (IC₅₀) of the methanol extract of banana blossom was estimated to be 236.5µg/kg. Banana blossom extract could be considered as a potential nutraceutical and therapeutic agent with anticancer activity. However, further research (animal studies and clinical research) needs to be undertaken to ascertain the same.