Exploration of bioactive peptides from Musa acuminata blossoms with their potential nutraceutical relevance to the management of endometriosis

Keerthana Sankar, Abinaya Kanagaraja, Anshula Narayanasamy, M R Ganesh, Ajitha Kannan, Palaniswamy Thanga Velan Lakshmi, Pachaiappan Raman, Annamalai Arunachalam
In: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis · 2026 · vol. 157 , pp. 109397 · doi:10.1016/j.jfca.2026.109397 · W7170141620
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This study identified bioactive peptides from Musa acuminata blossoms with strong antioxidant activity, including Kunitz-type protease inhibitors and lipid transfer proteins, suggesting their potential nutraceutical relevance for endometriosis management.

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Abstract

Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disorder that significantly impairs the reproductive health of millions of women worldwide, the development of innovative and multi-targeted therapeutic strategies beyond current treatments. This study explores the blooms of five different Musa acuminata (banana) varieties for the bioactive peptide functions. Protein extraction using various buffer systems revealed that Tris-HCl of pH 8.0 and Phosphate pH 7.0 yielded high protein content. Ultrafiltration of these extracts with 10 kDa and 3 kDa membranes with highest recovery percentage in Sevvazhai of Tris HCl buffer 64. 3% and 30. 9%. Antioxidant assays demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, particularly in the 3 kDa fractions from Sevvazhai and Karpooravalli of above 50% in the FRAP, DPPH, ABTS and NOS assays. Peptide detection using HPLC and profiling by MALDI-ToF MS identified key proteins, including Kunitz-type protease inhibitors, non-specific lipid transfer proteins, and cytochrome P450 analogs, all of which are implicated in inflammation modulation and hormone regulation with highest of 15 peptides in the Poovan variety of plant database. Moreover, in-silico digestion of peptides with trypsin and chymotrypsin predicted release of bioactive peptides by PeptideCutter that showed minimum of 30% to maximum of 100% cleaving probability. Overall, this exploratory study identifies Musa acuminata blossoms as a valuable source of bioactive peptide candidates, supporting its future exploration in functional food and nutraceutical development, with potential relevance to managing oxidative stress associated with endometriosis.

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