Banana Peels: A Genuine Waste or a Wonderful Opportunity?
Open accessAbstract
Banana is the second-highest fruit produced in the world and is a staple food for over 400 million people. Only 40% of the crop is utilised, leading to 114 million tonnes of banana waste annually. Banana peel constitutes about ~40% of the whole fruit, and it is considered a domestic and food industry waste. It is enriched with macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive compounds, which can provide antioxidant, anti-microbial, antibiotic, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. Banana peels also have higher nutrient value than banana pulp, and they are used in traditional medicines to treat diabetes, diarrhoea, inflammation, ulcers, burns and cough. Given its diverse bioactive properties, banana peel waste is now being explored within the framework of a circular economy to promote waste recycling and reduce environmental impact. This review highlights the nutritional and health properties of banana peel while providing opportunities for waste reduction. Potential applications of banana peels include anti-cancer and anti-fungal agents, biosorbents, natural emulsifiers, reducing agents, biofertilisers, food industry ingredients for bakery products, natural preservatives and food fortification. Exploring banana peel waste potential not only contributes to sustainable waste management but also enhances environmentally friendly innovation for the benefit of human health and the environment.
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Phenolics and other phytochemicals present in banana peel possess antimicrobial properties, exerting inhibitory effects against a broad spectrum of microorganisms including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
“phenolics and other phytochemicals present in banana peel also possess notable antimicrobial properties, exerting inhibitory effects against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.”
From Influence of Extraction Parameters on Bioactive Compounds and Antimicrobial Activity of Banana Peel Using Ethanol-Water Solvent (2026) · cites this paper as Yasin et al., 2025
Banana peel can serve as a valuable source of natural antimicrobials active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as certain fungi.
“These studies collectively reinforce the evidence that banana peel can serve as a valuable source of natural antimicrobials active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as certain fungi.”
From Influence of Extraction Parameters on Bioactive Compounds and Antimicrobial Activity of Banana Peel Using Ethanol-Water Solvent (2026) · cites this paper as Yasin et al. (2025)
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İmece, A. (2026) · Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology · doi:10.21597/jist.1745262
- Authors
- Yasin, M., Gangan, S., & Panchal, S. K.
- Affiliations
- Western Sydney University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Panchal, Sunil K.
- Venue
- Applied Sciences
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2025-03-14
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 3195
- ISSN
- 2076-3417 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4408422953
- Cited by
- 43
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 14
- FWCI
- 20.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Applied Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Agricultural and Biological Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Banana Cultivation and Research
- Keywords
- banana peel waste, agro-industrial waste valorization, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, antifungal agents, anticancer agents, biosorbent, natural emulsifiers, biofertilizers, natural preservatives, food fortification, circular economy, waste recycling, traditional medicine, nutritional value
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