THE ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIALS OF

SEORITA (Musa acuminata) PEELING AS LOTION

Bejar, Pamela Jean
Choi, You Joung
De Jesus, JessereneIvi
Dela Cruz, Tash Mia
Nicolas, Crislyn Ivy
Introduction
Banana peel represents about 40% of total weight of the fresh fruit. It is an underutilized source of
phenolic compounds considered as a good source of antioxidants. Banana peels are found to
contain compounds which contribute to its antioxidant property. Bananas are produced in 135
countries and territories across the tropics and subtropics. World production of bananas averaged
92 million tons per annum in 1998-2000 and was estimated at 99 million tons in 2001.1 These
figures are an approximation because the bulk of world banana production (almost 85 percent)
comes from relatively small plots. Since 2005, the Philippines is producing more than 6 million
metric tons of bananas a year (BSA, 2007) putting the Philippines to the top 5 producing country in
the whole world. In the CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) 23,899 metric tons were produced
in 2005. Based on the parameters set by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (2008), 6% of the
banana produce is turned into feed and waste. Therefore, approximately 93,000 metric tons goes
into feed and waste. To minimize waste production from banana peelings, studies must be
conducted to establish its use. Free radicals are everywhere, in the air, our bodies, and the
material around us. They cause aging related illnesses, and can contribute to heart attacks, stroke
and cancers. To fight these, the body produces antioxidants. Antioxidants are man-made or natural
substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage which interacts with free radicals
and can terminate the chain reaction of vital molecules.2 Vegetables and fruits are rich sources of
antioxidants and there is good evidence that eating a diet with lots of vegetables and fruits is
healthy and lowers risks of certain diseases. Banana peels are found to contain compounds which
contribute to its antioxidant property. It contains various antioxidant components, such as
polyphenolics, flavonoids, gallocatechin, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, Beta-carotene, lutein, and
selenium according to the USDA National Nutrient Database.3
Multiple studies have already been conducted that proves that banana peeling has an antioxidant
property. Different fruits like pineapple, apples, pomegranate, rasp berry, kiwi and tamarind have
been studied to yield the antiocidant properties.4 A study entitled Pineapple (Ananas comoscus)
fruit extract as an additive ingredient in making lotion aimed to test the acceptability of pineapple
fruit extract as an additive ingredient in making lotion considering the fact that the extract made
from pineapples has a variety of positive effects on the skin and promotes skin elasticity while
removing dead damaged skin, while improving hydration and moisture and promoting a more
elastic and clear looking skin.5
Banana peels are found to contain compound such as flavonoids, phenolics, gallocatechin and
dopamine which contribute to its antioxidant property. Beauty companies are harnessing these
antioxidants from an increasing range of botanicals. Antioxidants are among the natural defense

mechanisms that protect skin against additional oxidative processes. 6 Antioxidant lotions help to
combat potentially harmful wrinkle-causing free radicals, which are often generated after sun
exposure.7 Applying lotion is one of the few inexpensive ways that people can pamper themselves.
A quality body skin lotion can work wonders on scaly, dehydrated skin that feels rough and looks
unattractive. Lotions rehydrate dried skin and replenish dry or rough spots on the skin.8
Instead of contributing to waste, a riped Seorita banana peeling would be of use by determining
its antioxidant properties as lotion. Its antioxidant effects could increase collagen production,
minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and the production of acne and age spots.
The study aims to prove that the antioxidant potentials of a ripe Seorita banana peeling is
effective as a lotion.
Materials and Methods
The study will be using descriptive analysis, by extracting the Seorita banana peeling which will
determine the antioxidant potentials of Seorita peeling as lotion.
A purposive sampling will be used in determining the antioxidants potentials of Seorita banana
peeling. It is because of its availability in the market and so its physical and chemical properties.
The materials that will be used in the extraction method are the fresh naturally ripened unpigmented yellow Seorita banana peeling, knife, mortar and pestle, analytical balance,
thermometer, evaporating dish and desiccators.
The researchers will ask for the assistance of their adviser, Mrs. Cheryl Langit. They will make a
letter to the Maam Jacqueline G. Hernandez, the head of the Central Supply Room, for the
permission with regards to the materials needed determining the antioxidant potentials of Seorita
banana peeling as lotion . For the preparation of the lotion, Seorita the researchers will be doing
the following: the researchers will peel off fresh naturally ripened yellow Seorita banana. The
researchers will chop the Banana peeling using knife and the cutted pieces will be blended using a
blender. Afterwards, the researchers will assemble the distilling setup and will put the blended
banana peel in the flask and perform the distilling process until ample amount of extract as an
additive has been obtained. The formulation consists of cup olive oil, 1 cup of water, cup
beeswax and 5 mL of banana peel extract. The next step will be filling the small saucepan with
water and will set it on low fire to be used as a water bath. The water bath will be used for mashing
the beeswax with the use of spoon. The researchers will make sure that it would not melt the
beeswax. The cup beeswax will be added into the saucepan and will be mashed until it will form
a refined lump without any granules of beeswax. And then, the lump of beeswax will be transferred
to another saucepan with 1 cup of hot water in it making sure it would not melt the beeswax.
Afterwards, banana peel extract will be added to cup oil and all the ingredients will be mixed
thoroughly using a blender. The researchers will let the lotion cool slightly while stirring it with a
spoon. The lotion will then be poured into a bottle while its still warm and pourable. For the last
step, the researchers will leave the cap off to let it cool completely but will cap the lotion every 3
minutes and will give a quick shake to help blend the mixture.

REFERENCES:
1.

NIH (February 20, 2014) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine . Retrieved
on October 24,2014 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antioxidants.html

2.

ARC centre of excellence for free radical chemistry and biotechnology (2009).What Are Free
Radicals? Retrieved on October 24, 2014 from http://www.freeradical.org.au/education.php?
page=6
3.

Sara Tomm (Sep 07, 2011) LiveStrong.com. Do Bananas Have Antioxidants? Retrieved on
October 24, 2014 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/538543-do-bananas-have-antioxidants/
4.
Pineapple (Ananas comoscus) fruit extract as an additive ingridient in making lotion. Retrieved on
December 11, 2014 from http://www.scribd.com/doc/122402497/Pineapple-Lotion.
5.

Cleansing lotion containing tamarind fruit pulp. III study of lightining efficacy and skin on Asian
skin type. Retrieved on December 4, 2014
6.

Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics (December 23,2011).In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of
Banana (Musa Spp. BB cv Pisang Awak). Retrieved on October 24,2014 from
http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/1223456789/13844/1/IJBB%2049(2)%20124-129.pdf
7.

Rachel Nall (Aug 16, 2013) Benefits of Antioxidants in Skin Care. Retrieved on December 11,
2014 from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/87141-benefits-antioxidants-skin-care/1
8.

Rose Alexander (July 26, 2007) Life Script. The 7 Body Lotion Benefits. Retrieved on December
11, 2014 from: http://www.lifescript.com/well-being/articles/t/the_7_body_lotion_benefits.aspx