Evaluation of the phytochemical, mineral components and antimicrobial activity of empty palm fruit bunch ash and unripe plantain peel ash for use as alkaline bio activators of charcoal

Empty palm fruit bunch ash (EFBA) and Unripe plantain peel ash (PPA) are obtained by converting dried empty palm fruit bunch and dried unripe plantain peel into ashes by either controlled open burning or the use of furnace. Chemical activators are mostly used to activate charcoal. However, these chemicals are not affordable and unsafe for use in food industries as they can pose serious health issues in humans. This led to the aim of this study which was to evaluate the phytochemicals, mineral constituents and antimicrobial properties of EFBA and PPA as potential alkaline bio-activators for Neem charcoal. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of both EFBA and PPA was done using conventional methods, mineral constituents were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The ashes were exposed to antimicrobial susceptibility test against test bacterial isolates (Staphylococcus aureus strain OPD001-1; Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar derby strain RM005) and fungal isolates (Aspergillus niger strain ND 89; Aspergillus flavus strain Beca-67). The result of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Alkaloids, Carbohydrates, Cardiac glycosides and Saponins in both ashes while Fructose, Resins and Terpenoids were present in PPA. The mineral constituents were in high quantities in both ashes with Potassium highest in EFBA (760531.80mg/kg) and the least being Calcium in EFBA (821.00mg/kg). EFBA and PPA were both resistant to the test bacterial and fungal isolates. However, the mineral composition of both ashes suggests their potentials as alkaline bio-activators for Neem charcoal.