Ultrastructure and energy dispersive spectroscopy-based elemental analysis of the fruit exocarps of Musa sinensis L. (Banana) and Musa paradisiaca L. (Plantain) (Musaceae)

Barnabas O. OYEYINKA; Anthony J. AFOLAYAN

doi:10.15835/nbha49312262

Authors

Barnabas O. OYEYINKA Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (MPED) Research Centre, Botany Department, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700 (ZA) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1191-9365
Anthony J. AFOLAYAN Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (MPED) Research Centre, Botany Department, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700 (ZA) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9111-6695

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha49312262

Keywords:

electron microscopy;, exocarp;, mineral element;, Musa paradisiaca;, Musa sinensis;, ultrastructure

Abstract

Ultrastructural investigation and analysis of the elemental spectra composition of Musa sinensis L. and Musa paradisiaca L. exocarp (peels) was carried out using the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) respectively. Microstructures such as interlocked, polyhedral epidermal cells, ellipsoid-shaped stomata, guard cells, intercellular space, anticlinal-patterned walls and subsidiary cells were observed, with direct and indirect implications in the deposition of important primary and secondary metabolites, thus connoting some medicinal significance. Furthermore, the energy dispersive x-ray spectra revealed the presence of some important elements such as potassium (K), iron (Fe), carbon (C), oxygen (O), silicon (Si) and gold (Au), with high to relatively high carbon and oxygen peaks consistently observed in Musa sinensis and Musa paradisiaca. In the same vein, the relative similarity observed in the constituents of quite a number of the elemental spectra (carbon, oxygen, silicon, gold) in M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca peels, also reflects species relatedness between M. sinensis and M. paradisiaca.

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