Abstract:
Background: Banana blossoms from Musa AAA group (Kluai Hom), M. × paradisiaca (Kluai
Namwa), and Kluai Lebmue Nang are typically discarded as agricultural waste during commercial
production, despite their potential as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with health
benefits. This research aimed to investigate the bioactive compound content, bioaccessibility,
and heavy metal safety of banana blossom extracts from different cultivars to evaluate their
potential for development as alternative foods.
Methods: Three banana blossom cultivars were studied at young and mature stages using two
extraction solvents (distilled water at 95°C and 50% ethanol). Phenolic compounds, flavonoids,
and antioxidant activities were analyzed using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. Ch emical
composition of fresh and dried banana blossoms was determined. Seven heavy metals (copper,
zinc, arsenic, mercury, tin, cadmium, and lead) were analyzed using ICP-MS technique.
Bioaccessibility was assessed through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion simulation.
Results: Mature Kluai Hom extracted with 50% ethanol demonstrated the highest potential,
exhibiting maximum phenolic content and antioxidant activity (570.33±27.75 mg GAE/g extract
and 26.85±2.61 µmol TE/g extract, respectively). Chemical composition analysis revealed that
dried banana blossoms had significantly increased protein, fiber, and carbohydrate contents
(8.23±1.00%, 24.63±2.56%, and 56.13±2.30%, respectively). Cultivar comparison showed that
Kluai Hom possessed the highest bioactive compound content across all parameters, with
phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and FRAP antioxidant activity of 570.33±27.75 mg GAE/g
extract, 394.65±4.31 mg QE/g extract, and 15.70±0.35 µmol TE/g extract, respectively. Heavy
metal analysis confirmed that all cultivars contained safe levels of heavy metals within
acceptable limits. Following simulated gastrointestinal digestion, Kluai Hom maintained the
highest bioactive compound content, with phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant
activity of 375.48±15.23 mg GAE/g extract, 252.31±9.56 mg QE/g extract, and 19.41±1.21 µmol
TE/g extract (DPPH), respectively.
Conclusion: Kluai Hom demonstrated the highest potential as a source of bioactive
compounds, heavy metal safety, and retained nutritional value after gastrointestinal digestion.
The utilization of banana blossoms supports circular economy principles and can be developed
into beneficial alternative health foods.