Research Journal of Phytochemistry1819-34712151-6081Science International10.3923/rjphyto.2016.39.44MordiR.C. FadiaroA.E. OwoeyeT.F. OlanrewajuI.O. UzoamakaG.C. OlorunsholaS.J. 12016101Banana is eaten all over the world by all sections of the population. A lectin, called BanLec, was isolated from banana fruit and found to possess anti-HIV-1 activity. However, the peels of banana are thrown away as rubbish although farmers are known to use them as feed for their animals. We thought that there might be some valuable chemicals in banana peels and therefore decided to extract the oils from their peels. Two varieties of Nigeria bananas were chosen for an initial study. The crude methanolic extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis, which revealed the presence of steroids, saponin, terpenoids, anthraquinones and tannins. Antimicrobial study of the methanolic extract showed that the oils were effective against some bacteria. The chemical constituents of the oils were identified and characterized by GC-MS. The fatty acids stearic, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids and their methyl esters as well as 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxyaldehyde, cyclododecane, dibutyl phthalate, b-sitosterol, sesamin and epi-sesamin were among the identified components. These constituents were found to be compounds with known biological and medicinal activity.]]>Agarwal, P.K., A. Singh, K. Gaurav, S. Goel, H.D. Khanna and R.K. Goel,2009Musa sapientum var. paradisiaca) in rats.]]>473240Dhanalakshmi, R. and R. Manavalan,2014Corchorus trilocularis L. by GC-MS analysis.]]>619911998Edwards, B.,19991999Fagbemi, J.F., E. Ugoji, T. Adenipekun and O. Adelowotan,2009Musa sapientum L.), lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus S.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) on pathogens.]]>811761182Ghani, A.,20032nd Edn.,Pages: 460 Pages: 460 Goel, R.K. and K. Sairam,2002Musa sapientum, Tamrabhasma, Asparagus racemosus and Zingiber officinale.]]>34100110Hassan, Z., I.A. Jahan, G.C. Saha, F. Begum, K. Nada and J. Chowdhury,201045393396Jain, D.L., A.M. Baheti, S.R. Parakh, S.P. Ingale and P.L. Ingale,2007Musa sapientum L. fruit peel.]]>3116119Kadan, M.J.,1962Muros, V. and J. Hirx,2004437589Nagarajaiah, S.B. and J. Prakash,201143146Ragasa, C.Y., A.T. Martinez, J.E.Y. Chua and J.A. Rideout,2007Musa errans.]]>136167171Shah, A.M., M. Qureshi, Z.N. Memo, S.N. Memon and S.K. Syed,2012Malus sylvestis) and banana (Musa paradisiacal).]]>447174Swanson, M.D., H.C. Winter, I.J. Goldstein and D.M. Markovitz,201028586468655Windholz, M.,198310th Edn.,Waghmare, J.S. and A.H. Kurhade,2014Musa sapientum peel).]]>41015Zafar, I.M., A. Saleha, M.M.E. Hoque and R.M. Sohel,2011Musa sapientum L. subsp. sylvestris.]]>26265