- Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2014) Volume 4, Issue 36

Antibacterial effects of banana pulp extracts based on different extraction methods against selected microorganisms

Various parts of banana have been shown to have antibacterial effect. Therefore, a comparative study on the antibacterial activity of the pulp extract of three different banana species, namely, Pisang Berangan (Musa acuminate AA/AAA), Pisang Mas (Musa acuminate AA) and Pisang Nipah (Musa balbisiana BBB) by different extraction methods was conducted against selected microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). The acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of banana pulp were tested using agar disc diffusion method for antibacterial sensitivity testing. The solvent extraction data showed that acetone had the highest mean of banana pulp extract yield (15.16%), followed by methanol (13.73%) and aqueous solution (5.403%). The acetone and methanol extracts of all banana types showed an average with almost similar zone of inhibition activity at 10 mg/disc concentration against gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) ranging between 7 to 8.5 mm while no difference was seen in the case of gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans). With regard to aqueous extracts, all banana types did not show any inhibitory action against the tested microorganisms. In conclusion, the results implied that the pulp extracts of the three different banana species could be a potential source of antibacterial agents. However, further studies are needed to identify the bioactive components responsible for their antibacterial activity to maximize its therapeutic effect.

Author(s): Jalani FFM, Mohamad S, Shahidan WNS

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