Here is What You Can Use Unripe plantain Peel and Ripe Plantain Peel to do.

10 minutes read.

 

Plantain peel are the waste part of plantain fruit after you remove the inner flesh.

Many people eat the fleshy inner part of Plantain and toss the skin to domestic animals or into the waste bin.

However, that plantain skin you regard as waste and inedible is actually valuable in many ways and can be consumed when properly processed.

Plantain peel is being used as a major raw material for industrial applications in the agro-based industries and for the treatment of many human ailments in traditional medicine.

Its efficacy is due to the phytochemicals it contains, such as polyphenols, carotenoids (vitamin A), and alkaloids.

Some study reviews shown that it can be used to manage  erectile dysfunction.

In this article, I will reveal to you how useful plantain peel could be for you.

Description

Plantain scientifically known as Musa paradisiaca is one of an exclusive food in many parts of World especially in tropical and subtropical regions.

It is similar in appearance to bananas except that it is larger, has a starchy flesh rather than sweet, contains lower sugar, and may require cooking or frying.  It may also be used both ripe and unripe.

Some people eat plantain because of its iron constituent.

Some people do eat raw plantain peel or make a recipe with it, such as plantain peel chips (finger chips) but not really common. 

Uses Unripe And Ripe Plantain Peel

What are the uses of unripe and ripe plantain peel?

  • Plantain peel is used in agroindustry to produce poultry feed.
  • In the food production industry, Plantain peel is used for wine-making, carbon black production, a substrate for citric acid, biogas, and mushroom production, and for extraction of pectin.
  • Currently, new studies have been conducted on the potential use of plantain peel in making flour. And, the replacement of wheat flour with peel in cookies, biscuits, cakes, has also been discussed.

This may increase the dietary fiber and antioxidant profile of such foods.

  • Plantain peel contains high potassium when dried and burnt, this makes it useful as an alkaline in soap making.
  • Plantain peel contains vitamin A, allantoin, apigenin, aucubin, baicalein, linoleic acid, oleanolic acid, sorbitol, and tannin which prevent wrinkling of the skin, acne, allergies, and scarring. This makes it to be very useful in the Cosmetics industry.

Vitamins such as A, and C are antioxidants that prevent ageing of the skin.

  • It also contains vital compounds like cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, and gums (xanthan, Arabic, guar, etc.) which may be useful in the leather industry.

Nutrition Component Of Plantain Peel

The Nendran cultivar type of Plantain (the peel) contains protein, carbohydrates, fat, and fiber.

There is also contain high quantity vitamins (vitamin A, folic acid, ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin) and minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, and iron.

Other important components of Plantain peel include polyphenols and flavonoids such as gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, rutin hydrate, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and vanillic acids.

Is There Any Difference Between Ripe Plantain Peel And Unripe Plantain Peel

Well, the only difference is that ripeness may affect the levels of pectin and dietary fiber. The green peel has more starch, which reduces ripening by converting the complex sugar to simple sugar making it taste sweet.

The same difference holds for the ripe and unripe plantain fruits themselves.

The ripe plantain peel contains higher moisture, protein, and fiber than unripe peel.

Potassium levels increase with ripening, while the levels of zinc, magnesium, and manganese is the same in both ripe and unripe peels. However, unripe plantain peel has more iron and calcium.

Health Benefits Of Unripe And Ripe Plantain Peel

What are the health benefits of plantain peel?

1. May improve digestion

Because they contain a good quantity of dietary fiber, especially the insoluble dietary fiber, it may improve digestion by increasing fecal bulk and decreasing the time waste products stay in your gut.

2. May be good for heart health

Dietary fiber also lowers plasma cholesterol, the glycemic response to a meal. It may also lower the risk of coronary heart disease, colon cancer, and obesity.

Studies have shown that Plantain peel contains good quantities of polyphenols and flavonoids.

These compounds improve the antioxidant property of the peel. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and inactivate pro-oxidants thereby preventing cancer.

3. May be effective for wound healing

Plantain peel contains vitamin C and tannin which may promote wound healing and softens and regenerates the skin.

4. May Be Used To Remedy Erectile Dysfunction And Promote Sexual Performance

One 2022 animal study reported that both ripe and unripe plantain peels were able to restore sexual performance, balance hormones, decrease thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, and increase nitric oxide levels in male rats.

It may have potential in the treatment of erectile dysfunction the study concluded.

The researchers recommended that Plantain peel may be of potential in designing natural remedies capable of improving penile rigidity, hormone profiles, and alteration of enzymes linked with erectile dysfunction.

A 2015 study, indicated the potential of unripe plantain in the management of renal and liver complications arising from diabetes mellitus.

Considering the potential efficacy of Plantain peel which is most proven by animal studies, however, a clinical trial is needed to support this.

Related: What is a varicocele and how does it affect your Fertility?

Related: How does Sperm Morphology affect your Fertility?

Risk and Precautions

According to research, Plantain peel contains a small quantity of lead and is not enough to pose any damage to your body if ingested.

Plantain peel contains a high quantity of anti-nutrient such as tannins, oxalate, and phytate.

Anti-nutrients may cause growth stunting, organ damage, and mortality. This is especially felt in poultry fed with plantain peel. The tannins are bitter, making them unpalatable.

Fortunately, sun drying, oven drying, and the addition of alkalis have been used to reduce the anti-nutrients.

Conclusion

Plantain skin you regard as waste and inedible is actually valuable in many ways and can be consumed when properly processed.

Unripe and ripe Plantain peel contains protein, carbohydrates, fat and fiber, vitamins (vitamin A, folic acid, ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin), and minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, and iron.

Potassium levels increase with ripening, while the levels of zinc, magnesium, and manganese are the same in both ripe and unripe peels. However, unripe plantain peel has more iron and calcium.

Plantain peel is used in agroindustry to produce poultry feed and mushrooms. In the food industry, they are used in winemaking, baking, and biscuit making.

In the cosmetic industry, they are used for soap and skin care. In the energy industry, they are converted to biogas. They contain vital compounds that may be useful in the leather industry.

Unripe and ripe plantain peel contain unique that may

  • May improve digestion
  • May be good for heart health
  • May be effective for wound healing
  • May Be Used To Remedy Erectile Dysfunction And Promote Sexual Performance

And modern research is exploring and proving their efficacy and uses in different sectors.

Plantain peel contains a high quantity of anti-nutrient such as tannins, oxalate, and phytate.

This may cause stunt growth and mortality, especially in poultry, fortunately, this can be reduced by oven drying, sun drying, and the addition of alkaline

I hope you get the value worth your time, I appreciate the time you spend with me. Leave a comment below if you find this article helpful and don’t forget to drop your question, opinion, or criticism if any. Cheers!

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

The content provided in Living Good is for informational and educational purposes only. It’s not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal doctor. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Living Good takes no responsibility for possible health consequences of any person(s) reading or following the information in this educational content. Viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medication, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.

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