Musa sapientum
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Musa sapientum Common Names: Banana, Dessert Banana, Sweet Banana Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Order: Zingiberales Family: Musaceae Genus: Musa Species: M. sapientum Synonyms: Musa × paradisiaca L., Musa corniculata Lour. Morphological Description Musa sapientum is
a large, perennial herbaceous plant in the Musaceae family, growing 3–7 m tall.
It is a hybrid primarily derived from Musa acuminata: · Pseudostem: Formed by overlapping leaf sheaths, 15–25 cm in diameter,
green to yellowish, succulent (Ploetz et al., 2007). · Leaves: Large, 1.5–2.7 m long, 30–60 cm wide, arching, easily torn
by wind, glossy green. · Inflorescence: Pendulous, 1–2 m long, with reddish-brown bracts; female
flowers develop parthenocarpically into fruit (Ploetz et al., 2007). · Fruit: Elongated, 10–20 cm long, curved, green turning bright yellow
when ripe, sweet and soft (Horry et al., 1997). Distribution and Habitat Musa sapientum originated
in Southeast Asia and is now cultivated globally in tropical and subtropical
zones: · Range: Native to Indo-Malayan region (Malaysia, Indonesia); major
producers include India, China, Philippines, Brazil, Ecuador. · Habitat: Thrives in humid tropics, 25–30°C, rainfall 1,500–2,500
mm/year; prefers rich, well-drained loams, pH 5.5–7.0, elevations 0–1,200 m
(Ploetz et al., 2007). Ethnopharmacology Musa sapientum (banana plant) possesses various medicinal
properties beneficial for health. Its fruit aids digestion, treats diarrhea,
constipation, and gastric ulcers, while its high potassium content helps
regulate blood pressure and support heart health. The unripe fruit and peel
help manage diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels. Rich in antioxidants,
it has potential anti-cancer properties and enhances immune function. The
banana stem juice detoxifies the body, purifies the blood, and helps in kidney
stone treatment. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects promote wound
healing and fight infections. Additionally, it boosts energy, reduces stress
through serotonin production, supports bone health, and is used to relieve
joint pain. The banana flower is traditionally used for respiratory conditions
like bronchitis and asthma, making the plant a versatile natural remedy. It has
bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolics, and dopamine (Imam & Akter,
2011) · Antimicrobial: Peels in Philippines treat infections. Ajijolakewu et al.
(2021) found peel extracts (MIC 25 µg/mL) active against Staphylococcus aureus. · Wound Healing: Leaves in India bandage cuts. Agarwal et al. (2009) showed
leaf extracts increased hydroxyproline in rat wounds by 30%. · Antioxidant: Fruit in Thailand reduces oxidative stress. Fatemeh et al.
(2012) reported peel phenolics (50 µg/mL) scavenged DPPH radicals by 70%. · Antidiabetic: Flowers in India manage diabetes. Pari and Maheswari (1999)
found flower extract (0.25 g/kg) reduced glucose in rats by 25%.
⚠ Toxicity Profile: Unripe fruit tannins (>1.5%) may cause
constipation if overconsumed (>400 g/day). Latex from pseudostem/leaves can
irritate skin due to serotonin. High potassium (>400 mg/100 g) may affect
kidney patients (Imam & Akter, 2011). Additional Uses · Culinary: Eaten raw, baked, or in smoothies; key source of potassium,
vitamin B6, vitamin C (Ploetz et al., 2007). · Industrial: Leaves for wrapping, pseudostem fibers for textiles, paper
in Southeast Asia. · Ornamental: Grown for lush foliage in tropical gardens (Ploetz et al.,
2007). References
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