Formulation and evaluation of antibacterial activity of ointment of Musa paradisiaca unripe peel ethanolic extract

The pharmacological properties of Musa paradisiaca peels such as antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, wound healing, antiulcer, analgesic, hair growth promoter, hemostatic activity have been widely researched and reported by several scientists. These medicinal properties make the peels extract a useful and potential candidate as active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in drugs manufacturing. However, little or no efforts have been devoted towards translating this food-waste from a potential API to actual API. The current research study is aimed at formulating an ethanolic extract of the unripe peels into a semi-solid dosage form; ointment for topical application in the treatment of skin infections. Simple ointment (BP) and ointment of M. paradisiaca unripe peel ethanolic extract were formulated using various excipients (wool fat, hard paraffin, soft paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol) in different concentrations. Organoleptic evaluation (physical appearance, color, odor, texture, phase separation, homogeneity, and skin feel) and antibacterial evaluation using pathogenic S. aureus and pathogenic E. coli were performed. The antibacterial evaluation revealed the commercial product (Product F) showed the highest activity against E. coli and S. aureus, however, M. paradisiaca ethanolic extract showed a higher activity against S. aureus and E. coli than the formulated ointment containing M. paradisiaca extract. The formulation of M. paradisiaca extract ointment was successful. The antibacterial activity of the herbal products (M. paradisiaca unripe peel ethanolic extract and ointment of M. paradisiaca unripe peel ethanolic extract) showed significant activities. However, strategies to enhance these activities can be explored.