Request Paper

Abstract
Musa acuminate (plantain) is a tropical fruit and a staple food that plays a role in the nutrition and health of people worldwide. The study investigates comparatively the phytochemical and vitamin antioxidants contents of unripe and ripe Musa acuminate purchased from Eke Oko market, Orumba North local Government, Anambra state. The samples were identified, washed, peeled, cut into tiny pieces and blended. The antioxidants were determined by titration and spectrophotometric methods. The results obtained from the analysis show the phytochemical and vitamin antioxidants viz; the phenol, lycopene, flavonoid, β-caroetene, vitamin E and vitamin C contents, for unripe plantain (0.975±0.005mg/l, 8.720±0.07mg/kg, 0.3%, 49.105±0.40, 0.260±0.03 and 0.080 respectively.) and ripe plantain (1.085±0.005mg/l, 6.930±0.070mg/kg, 0.3%, 47.405±0.40ml/l, 0.130±0.03mg/l and 0.772±0.020mg/l respectively). Generally, the phytochemical and vitamin screening of the plantain showed decreased levels of Lycopene, β-carotene and Vitamin E, but increased levels of Phenol and Vitamin C as ripening progressed. The results obtained in this study showed that plantain irrespective of the variety and state is a good sources of antioxidants. Keywords: Musa acuminata, antioxidants, phytochemicals and plantain.