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Phytochemical and toxicological analysis of banana leaf (Musa acuminata x balbisiana) for
application in Siamese fighting fish aquaculture

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1 Asra-Aswadi Nor Izaty, Azrul-Lokman Mohd, Koh Ivan Chong Chu, Abduh Yazed Mohammad,
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1,2 Norazmi-Lokman Nor Hakim

1 Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus,
Terengganu, Malaysia.
2 Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania,
7053 Taroona Tasmania, Australia

* Corresponding author: lokhakim@umt.edu.my.

Abstract:

Banana leaf has been used as a replacement for Catappa leaf to ensure the optimum water quality
requirement for Betta splendens aquaculture by local farmers due to the difficulty in obtaining the
latter. Unfortunately, no study has been done to investigate whether banana leaf has the same effects
as Catappa leaf in B. splendens aquaculture. Using locally found banana leaf: Musa acuminata x
balbisiana, this study aimed to detect and quantify selected phytochemicals (tannins, saponins, and
flavonoids) in banana leaf at different maturity levels (brown, yellow, and green) and investigate its
toxicity on B. splendens. The amount of total tannins content was determined by using the Folin-
Ciocalteau method. Saponins were extracted with petroleum ether and purification whereas flavonoids
were extracted with methanol at room temperature and then the total for both phytochemicals was
determined with gravimetric method. Phytochemical screening analysis showed that the three
phytochemicals were present in all the banana leaf tested. Brown leaf had significantly (P<0.05)
higher tannins level (4.52 ± 0.42%) than other samples, while the highest saponins level was found in
green leaf (1.12 ± 0.26%). There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the flavonoids level of all
leaves (2.07 ± 0.60 to 3.55 ± 0.53%). Based on this result, a 96-hours toxicity test (LC50) using
brown banana leaf was done on broodstock (n=42 male, 42 female) and larvae (n=60). No mortality
was observed even at the highest concentration (1.1 g) at both stages. In conclusion, the brown banana
leaf can replace the Catappa leaf in B. splendens production but further studies are warranted to
determine the optimum amount needed and whether this leaf can improve B. splendens production.

Keywords: Ornamental fish, Larval culture, Broodstock, Leaf maturity, Tannins

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