Antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts from petioles and leaf midribs of Muli banana (Musa acuminata Colla) against pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Antimicrobial resistance and the rising incidence of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria and fungi remain major public health challenges, increasing the need for safer, naturally derived antimicrobial agents. The muli banana (Musa acuminata Colla), particularly its petioles and leaf midribs, is known to contain bioactive compounds with antimicrobial potential. This study aimed to identify the secondary metabolite content and evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts from the petioles and leaf midribs of muli banana against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. A Completely Randomized Design was used; secondary metabolites were identified through phytochemical screening, and antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method, with inhibition zone diameter as the measured parameter. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. The extract exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against S. aureus, with the largest zone of 13.8 mm at 90% concentration, and moderate, concentration dependent activity against C. albicans that increased significantly with concentration (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05), reaching 10.32 mm at 70%. Activity against E. coli was weak and detected only at 90% concentration (2.9 mm), with a significant difference compared to other concentrations (p<0.05), whereas no inhibitory activity was observed against A. niger at any concentration tested (p>0.05). These findings indicate that ethanol extract of muli banana petioles and leaf midribs has potential as a natural antimicrobial agent, with efficacy varying according to microorganism type and extract concentration.