Antioxidant compounds from bananas (Musa Cavendish)

The antioxidant compounds from commercial bananas, Musa Cavendish, were studied. One of the antioxidants, gallocatechin, was identified in the banana. The gallocatechin was isolated (using HPLC) from the banana peel extract, which showed strong antioxidant activity. Gallocatechin was more abundant in peel (158 mg/100 g dry wt.) than in pulp (29.6 mg/100 g dry wt.). The antioxidant activity of the banana peel extract, against lipid autoxidation, was stronger than that of the banana pulp extract. This result was consistent with the gallocatechin analysis. The higher gallocatechin content may account for the better antioxidant effects. Thus, the antioxidant capacity of the bananas may be attributed to their gallocatechin content. Bananas should be considered as a good source of natural antioxidants for foods. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.