Bioelectricity generation using banana peel as substrate in dual-chamber Pseudomonas aeruginosa based microbial fuel cell

Aims@#Banana peel (BP) waste is still underutilized in Malaysia, which can be used as source of renewable energy. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that utilizes biomass to convert chemical energy into electrical energy with help of the microbial catalysis. The present study evaluates the current generation of MFC supplemented with BP waste as substrate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853.@*Methodology and results@#The CHNS result shows that the C:N ratio of BP is 27:1 which is within the optimum C:N ratio for the microbial food requirement. Fluctuation of current increases as concentration of banana peel extract (BPE) decreases from 1:10, 1:20, 1:40 and 1:80, thus making 1:10 BPE optimum. Current fluctuation is related to microbial activity due to the sufficiency of nutrients which subsequently affect the performance of MFC. BPE and banana peel slurry (BPS) comparison shows that BPS is optimum. BPE reaches a maximum current of 3.91 µA in ascending phase which is higher compared to BPS (3.65 µA). In descending phase, BPE current drops to 2.31 µA compared to 2.98 µA of BPS. In stationary phase, BPS able to maintain a higher current compared to BPE. MFC maximum current was doubled to 6.52 µA when PEM was treated priorly.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#Besides exploring and improving the ability of MFC as an alternative for power production other than fossil fuel, this research also encourage society to fully utilize waste as a source of renewable energy instead of throwing it into garbage without productivity.

Determination of bioactive compounds, antimicrobial activity, and the phytochemistry of the organic banana peel in Thailand

Banana fruit is enriched with phytonutrients, minerals, and its peel, which is mostly discarded as waste. This research aimed to study its bioactive compound properties, antimicrobial activity, and identify and characterize the constituents of organic banana peel extract (BPE), composed of six species (i.e., Kluai Homthong, Kluai Namwa, Kluai Kai, Kluai Hukmook, Kluai Lebmuernang, and Kluai Homtaiwan). Total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant content, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were important in BPE of Kluai Kai. BPE of Kluai Hukmook could inhibit Aeromonas hydrophila and Staphylococcus aureus. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum exposed diverse compounds of primary and secondary phytochemicals. Four main constituents, including acetic acid, formic acid, 1,2-benzenediol,3-methyl-, and 4-hydroxy-2-methylacetophone derived from gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), demonstrated their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity. This result suggests that organic banana peel can both be applied as an antioxidant and antimicrobial substance. BPE increases the value of banana peels (BPs) and reduces the burden of its waste disposal in the environment.

Banana Peel Flakes Alleviate Blood Glucose And Stress In A Dose-Dependent Manner

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antidepressant effects of banana peel flakes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were classified into five groups with different treatments. Groups I to IV were diabetic rats model groups that consumed only standard diet, standard diet containing 5%, 10%, and 20% of banana peel flakes, respectively. While group V was a healthy control group fed a standard diet. Immunohistochemistry staining was measured to examine serotonin expression in the colon and pancreas. Results: The diabetic rats treated with 20% banana peel flakes had a lower blood glucose concentration (p<0.05) compared with diabetic control and showed a shorter duration of immobility time (p<0.05) than the healthy control. Additionally, compared with diabetic control, the diabetic rats treated with 5% banana peel flakes showed higher serotonin expression (p<0.05) in the colon. In contrast, serotonin expression in the pancreas did not show any significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: The present study disclosed that the banana peel flakes provided an antidepressant effect in the diabetic rats model, which might occur through the mechanism of controlling blood glucose concentration.

Determinación de la presencia de Escherichia coli en la cáscara y parte comestible del banano y evaluación de su crecimiento durante el proceso de postcosecha y almacenamiento a temperatura controlada / Determination of the presence of Escherichia coli in the peel and edible part of the banana and evaluation of its growth during the post-harvest process and storage at controlled temperature

Ante la necesidad de garantizar alimentos inocuos para los consumidores, las agroindustrias han implementado prácticas preventivas y desarrollado investigación que respalde sus procesos. El gremio productor de banano en Guatemala precisó determinar la presencia de Escherichia coli en la cáscara y parte comestible de la fruta, y el crecimiento de esta bacteria durante la postcosecha y almacenamiento. El estudio se realizó en cuatro plantas empacadoras de banano en Guatemala con dos objetivos: el primero determinar si la bacteria E. coli logra infiltrarse hacia la parte comestible del banano durante el lavado postcosecha, y el segundo, determinar si existe presencia de E. coli en la cáscara del banano en estiba y en simulación de almacenamiento a temperatura controlada. Para el primer objetivo se recolectaron al azar dos cajas de banano de una empacadora, que fueron trasladadas al laboratorio donde se replicaron las condiciones de la pileta de lavado y se introdujo E. coli de manera intencional; posteriormente, se utilizó el método de número más probable, para analizar el macerado de la fruta. Para el segundo objetivo, se recolectaron al azar cinco cajas de banano provenientes de tres empacadoras, se realizaron muestreos en la cáscara de dos bananos por caja, tanto en estiba, como durante el almacenamiento a temperaturas entre 17 y 18 °C, los días 4 y 18. Los resultados indicaron ausencia de E. coli en la parte comestible de la fruta y en la cáscara del banano durante el proceso de estiba y almacenamiento en los tiempos evaluados

To ensure innocuous food for consumers, agroindustries have implemented preventive practices and have developed research that supports their processes. e banana producing guild in Guatemala required to determine the presence of Escherichia coli in the peel and edible part of the fruit, and to determine the growth of this bacteria during postharvest and storage processes. e study was carried out in four banana packing plants in Guatemala with two objectives; the first one was to determine if E. coli is able to infiltrate the edible part of the banana during postharvest washing. e second objective was to determine if there is E. coli in the banana peel at stowage and in simulation of controlled temperature storage. For the first objective, two boxes of banana were randomly collected from a packing line, then were transferred to the laboratory where the conditions of the washing tank were replicated and E. coli was introduced intentionally. e most probable number method was used to analyze the maceration of the fruit. For the second objective, five boxes of bananas were randomly collected from three packing plants. Samplings were made to the peel of two bananas per box, at stowage, and then during storage at temperatures between 17 and 18° C, during the 4th and 18th day. e results indicated absence of E. coli in the edible part of the fruit and in the banana peel at stowage area, and at controlled storage temperature during the evaluation time

Banana peel culture as an indigenous medium for easy identification of late‑sporulation human fungal pathogens.

Aim: Fungi are increasing in incidence as human pathogens and newer and rarer species are continuously being encountered. Identifying these species from growth on regular culture media may be challenging due to the absence of typical features. An indigenous and cheap medium, similar to the natural substrate of these fungi, was standardised in our laboratory as an aid to species identification in a conventional laboratory setting. Materials and Methods: Ripe banana peel pieces, sterilised in an autoclave at 121°C temperature and 15 lbs pressure for 15 min promoted good growth of hyphae and pycnidia or acervuli in coelomycetes, flabelliform and medusoid fruiting bodies of basidiomycetes and fruit bodies such as cleistothecium in ascomycetes. The growth from the primary isolation medium was taken and inoculated onto the pieces of double‑autoclaved ripe banana peel pieces in a sterile glass Petri dish with some moisture (sprinkles of sterile distilled water). A few sterile coverslips were placed randomly inside the Petri dish for the growing fungus to stick on to it. The plates were kept at room temperature and left undisturbed for 15–20 days. At a time, one coverslip was taken out and placed on a slide with lactophenol cotton blue and focused under the microscope to look for fruit bodies. Results: Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Macrophomina phaseolina, Nigrospora sphaerica, Chaetomium murorum, Nattrassia mangiferae and Schizophyllum commune were identified by characteristic features from growth on banana peel culture. Conclusions: Banana peel culture is a cheap and effective medium resembling the natural substrate of fungi and is useful for promoting characteristic reproductive structures that aid identification.

Formulation and evaluation of semisolid jelly produced by Musa acuminata Colla (AAA Group) peels

Objective: To study the jelly formulation produced by Musa acuminata Colla (AAA Group) peels and evaluate its antioxidant properties which are related to the product quality. Methods: The formulations of peel jelly were established under two-level full factorial designs within two blocks and one center point. Regarding response optimizer, the amount of sugar and citric acid was obtained; hence, the peel jellies were produced. The evaluation of antioxidant properties was conducted by using total phenolic content (TPC) assay and 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay. Results: The TPC of peel powder varied from 91.8 to 602.26 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g dry weight, and 5%–7% peel jellies had phenolic content ranging from 29.38 to 48.31 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g dry weight. The results of DPPH test indicated that at 10 mg/mL, the peel powder showed 89% DPPH inhibition, while 7% peel jelly prominently exhibited 84% DPPH inhibition. The correlation between DPPH IC50 value and TPC of peel powder as well as peel jelly was quite reasonably high with correlation coefficient ranging from 0.843 7 to 0.995. Conclusions: TPC can be used as an indicator in assessing the antioxidant activity of fruits and vegetables. The present investigation reveals that TPC is mainly responsible for DPPH free radical scavenging capacity.

Formulation and evaluation of semisolid jelly produced by Musa acuminata Colla (AAA Group) peels

Objective: To study the jelly formulation produced by Musa acuminata Colla (AAA Group) peels and evaluate its antioxidant properties which are related to the product quality. Methods: The formulations of peel jelly were established under two-level full factorial designs within two blocks and one center point. Regarding response optimizer, the amount of sugar and citric acid was obtained; hence, the peel jellies were produced. The evaluation of antioxidant properties was conducted by using total phenolic content (TPC) assay and 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay. Results: The TPC of peel powder varied from 91.8 to 602.26 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g dry weight, and 5%-7% peel jellies had phenolic content ranging from 29.38 to 48.31 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g dry weight. The results of DPPH test indicated that at 10 mg/mL, the peel powder showed 89% DPPH inhibition, while 7% peel jelly prominently exhibited 84% DPPH inhibition. The correlation between DPPH IC

Growth of macrobrachium rosenbergii fed with mango seed kernel, banana peel and papaya peel incorporated feeds.

The growth promoting potential of fruits wastes, mango seed kernel, banana peel and papaya peel on the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii post larvae (PL) was evaluated. Basal diet equated to 35% protein was prepared by using soybean meal, groundnut oilcake, horse gram and wheat flour. Each fruit waste powder was separately incorporated with basal diet at a proportion of 10%. Sunflower oil was used as lipid source. Egg albumin and tapioca flour were used as binding agents. Vitamin B-complex with Vitamin-C was also mixed. Feed without any fruit waste was served as control. M. rosenbergii PL (length: 1.2-1.4 cm; weight: 0.09- 0.13 g) was fed with these feeds for a period of 90 days. Significant improvements in the nutritional indices (survival rate, weight gain, biomass index, specific growth rate and condition factor), concentrations of biochemical constituents (total protein, carbohydrate and lipid), levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin-C and E), content of minerals (Na+ and K+), activities of digestive enzymes (protease, amylase and lipase), and profiles of essential amino acids and fatty acids were recorded in fruits wastes incorporated feeds fed PL when compared with control (P< 0.003 – 0.878). The overall results indicated the fact that mango seed kernel incorporated feed was produced the best performance, followed by better performance of banana peel and good performance of papaya peel. These fruits wastes incorporated feeds enhance digestive enzymes activities and act as appetizer, which in turn enhances food utilization and ultimately yielded better survival and growth of M. rosenbergii PL. Therefore, these fruits wastes have considerable potentials in sustainable development of Macrobrachium culture.