Comparative analysis of Proximate and Anti-fungal Activities on Palm Oil Treated Ash Extracts of Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiaca Peels collected from Local Market in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria

This study evaluated the effects of palm oil treatment on the proximate and anti-fungal activities of ash extracts from banana (Musa sapientum) and plantain (Musa paradisiaca) peels collected in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The results indicated that palm oil treatment reduced the moisture, crude fiber, ash, and protein contents of the extracts, while increasing their lipid, carbohydrate, and energy values. Additionally, the ash extracts demonstrated concentration-dependent anti-fungal activity against typical palm oil fungal species, suggesting their potential use as natural food preservatives or therapeutic agents for fungal diseases.