Received: 12-04-2017 / Accepted: 29-05-2017
Appropriate conditions for the extraction of phenolic compounds and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant activity of seedy banana (Musa balbisiana)were determined using the conventional liquid-solid method. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were influenced by type and concentration of solvent, solid/liquid ratio, temperature, and extraction time. The optimal conditions for the antioxidant phenolic extraction were as follows: acetone concentration 60% (v/v); solid/liquid ratio1/30; at 40oC in 60 minutes. Seedy banana presented total phenolic content and DPPH scavenging activity of 15.47 ± 0.45 mg Acid gallic Equivalents per g of dry matter and 103.38 ± 3.65 mol trolox equivalents per g of dry matter, respectively. This study showed that seedy banana may be considered as a potential source of nutraceuticals applicable in food and drug technologies in the future.