Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Analysis of Banana Pseudo Stem (Musa acuminata)

Preliminary phytochemical screening of extracts of banana pseudo stem and antimicrobial activities revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, protein, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides. The phytochemical constituents were: Alkaloid (8.16%), Flavonoids (4.02%), Saponin (3.5%), Phenols (5.5743 mg/kg, Tannin (9.13%), Oxalate (0.162%), Heamaglutinin (1.8814 mg/kg), Phytate (1.2967 mg/kg), and Cardiac Glycoside (1.6%). Some of the extracts inhibited the growth of pathogens while some did not. Water extract notably had a high Zone Inhibition Diameter of 21 mm to Streptococcus aureus and 17 mm to Pseudomonas aerugenosa. The results obtained indicated that the pseudo stem of banana plant have pharmaceutical values and can be utilized in treatment of some ailments.