Simplicia quality analysis and phytochemical screening of red bracts of Kepok banana flower (Musa paradisiaca L.)

Background: The Kepok banana plant (Musa paradisiaca L.) has been processed into food preparations, empirically used as medicine, and as a cosmetic for hair and skin care. Kepok banana flowers have bracts and male flowers contain nutritional content, namely carbohydrates, protein, low fat, high fiber and also minerals such as phosphorus, iron and calcium) as well as vitamins A, B1 and vitamin C. To determine the potential of the red bracts of Kepok banana flowers as an efficacious ingredient in medical and cosmetic preparations, simplicia characteristics testing was carried out to determine the quality of simplicial and phytochemical screening to determine secondary metabolite compounds in plant.

Objective: The aim of this research was to identify the characteristics of simplicia and screen phytochemicals in the red bracts of Kepok banana flowers (Musa paradisiaca L.).

Method: This research was carried out experimentally in the Pharmaceutical and Chemical Technology laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lincoln University College Malaysia. The red bracts of the Kepok banana flower (Musa paradisiaca L.) were dried by drying, protected from direct sunlight. Extract of the red bracts of the Kepok banana flower (Musa paradisiaca L.) was obtained using the Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction (UAE) method with 70% ethanol solvent.

Results: Microscopic results of powder and fresh simplicia of red bracts of Kepok banana flowers (Musa paradisiaca L.) were obtained, epidermis fragments, xylem fibers, sclerenchyma fibers, anomocytic type stomata, endocarp and essential oil. The results of the simplicia quality inspection showed that the water soluble essence content was 37.15%, the ethanol soluble essence content was 16.57%, the water content was 5.31%, the total ash content was 9.04%. and the acid insoluble ash content was 2.42%. Phytochemical screening of the red bractea extract of Kepok banana flowers (Musa paradisiaca L.) obtained alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and triterpenoids/steroids.

Conclusion: The results of the quality analysis of the simplicia red bracts of the Kepok banana flower (Musa paradisiaca L.) met the simplicia quality standards and the results of the phytochemical screening examination of the red bractea extract of the Kepok banana flower (Musa paradisiaca L.) contained alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and triterpenoids/steroids compounds.