Antioxidants and antioxidant activity common eight banana varieties in Kerala

The objective of this research were to study antioxidants and antioxidant compounds from selected eight varieties of banana and the antioxidant activity were analysed using two methods such as total antioxidant activity and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity using different solvents such as petroleum ether, methanol and water. In the present study revealed that variety Red banana showed highest β carotene and (8.53 µg/100g). Ascorbic acid content of banana varieties ranged between 1.52 - 5.35 mg/100g. Highest ascorbic acid content was noticed in Red banana (5.35 mg). Highest dopamine content was exhibited in variety Robusta (13.3 mg/100g) and lowest was found in variety Rasakadali (3.2mg/100g). The total antioxidant activity revealed that variety Robusta had the highest DPPH activity with an IC50 value of 43.6 µg/ ml in petroleum ether solvent. With regard to total antioxidant activity, variety Padatti exhibited highest activity with an IC50 value of 41.2 µg/ ml in petroleum ether while variety Rasakadali (48.4) and Poovan (48.4) showed maximum activity in methanol followed by variety Red banana with an IC50 value of 44.4 µg/ ml in methanol.