ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate some vitamin content of unripe

banana (Musa sapientum) peel. Peels of unripe banana purchased from Ubani

Market, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State were properly

washed, sliced and air-dried at room temperature for 72 hours. They were then

milled and preserved for further analysis. Vitamins (Vitamins B1 ,B3, B6, B9, and

B12) and fat-soluble (Vitamins E and K) contents were analysed following standard

protocols for biochemical analysis. Results of the analysis for water-soluble

vitamins indicated that vitamin B, and B3were the highest and lowest B-vitamins

in unripe banana peel with concentrations of 1.05±0.06 and 0.11±0.02mg/lOOg

respectively. The B-vitamins increased as follows vitamin B3

(0. 11±0.02mg/l0og)< B9(0.21±0.olmg/lOOg) < B,2(O.21±O.00 mg/bOg) <

B6(O.40±O.0 1mg/i 00g) < B '(1.05±0.06mg/i 00g) while for fat-soluble vitamins,

vitamin E content of unripe banana peel with concentration of 2.07±0.29 rng/100g

was higher than vitamin K content in unripe banana peel with concentration of

0.56±0.05 mg/l00g. The study discovered that the peels of unripe banana which

are usually disposed off as wastes contain valuable water-soluble and fat-soluble

vitamins and may thus find suitable application in nutrition and similar use.

However the results from this study necessitate a recommendation that more

studies (in vivo) be conducted to help discover if these nutrients are bioavailable

when consumed.