Plantain (Musa Paradisiaca) waste flour's proximate and mineral composition: A possible source of nutrients for animal feed formulation

Abstract

In the tropics, plantain fruit is a staple food and a significant source of energy. While the bracts, fruit stalk, and leaf are left on the farm as waste, the fruit's peel is thrown away as waste once the edible portion is consumed, endangering the environment, particularly in areas where it is often consumed. In several nations, these waste materials have been contemplated for use as organic fertilizer. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the mineral and proximate composition of plantain (Musa paradisiaca) waste flour as potential sources of nutrients for animal feed formulation. The atomic absorption spectrophotometric method and standard AOAC analysis techniques were used to ascertain the proximate and mineral composition of plantain wastes (bract, ripe peel, fruit stem, and leaf). 9.39 to 9.53g of moisture, 1.87 to 19.37g of crude protein, 0.73 to 1.83g of crude fat, 8.10 to 15.50g of crude fiber, and 54.00 to 68.00g of carbohydrates per 100g sample were all present in the trash. Iron (10.50–14.00 mg), calcium (120.00–150.00 mg), and phosphorus (110.00–180.00 mg) are all abundant in plantain bracts per 100g sample. Because plantain wastes are rich in protein, fiber, and vital minerals, they can be used as a source of nutrients when making animal feed. Since the waste would have been an annoyance to the environment, this will have the twin benefits of being used as animal feed and a proper plantain waste management (waste reduction) approach.