Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bioactive Compounds and Biological Activities of Ensete Species

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Bioactive Compounds in the Storage Organs of Plants

Part of the book series: Reference Series in Phytochemistry ((RSP))

  • 6 Accesses

Abstract

Ensete, commonly known as the “false banana,” is a plant of the subtropical and tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Ensete has received global attention in the past decade. The various parts of the plant, such as the fruits, fruit peel, corm, pseudostem, seed, leaves, flowers, sap, and roots, have been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Starch and other minor/trace components found in Ensete plants have been used as tablet binders, disintegrants, pharmaceutical gelling agents, and sustained release agents in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Ensete has been used as a staple and co-staple food by Ethiopians and has many ethnomedicinal uses. The present chapter validates the historic use of various parts of Ensete in treating ailments by providing detailed information on the phytochemicals present in the plant and discussing various biological properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, hypolipidemic, cytotoxic, antiurolithiatic, antiestrogenic, nephroprotective, and hepatoprotective properties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Mathew NS, Negi PS (2017) Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of wild banana (Musa acuminata Colla): a review. J Ethnopharmacol 196:124–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.009

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Pei S, Alan H, Wang Y (2020) Vital roles for ethnobotany in conservation and sustainable development. Plant Divers 42:399–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2020.12.001

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Slow Food (2015) Ensete. https://wwwfondazioneslowfoodcom/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/ensete/. Accesed 20 Jan 2023.

  4. Negash A, Niehof A (2004) The significance of Ensete culture and biodiversity for rural household food and livelihood security in southwestern Ethiopia. Agric Hum Values 21:61–71. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:AHUM.0000014023.30611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Aneseyee AB, Yitbarek T, Hailu Y (2022) Ensete plant (Ensete ventricosum) for socio-economic and environmental uses in Gurage area of Ethiopia. Environ Sustain Indicators 16:100203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2022.100203

  6. Nuraga GW, Feyissa T, Tesfaye K, Biswas MK, Schwarzacher T, Borrell JS et al (2021) The genetic diversity of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) landraces used in traditional medicine is similar to the diversity found in non-medicinal landraces. Front Plant Sci 12:756182. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.756182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Simpson MG (2019) Diversity and classification of flowering plants: amborellales, nymphaeales, austrobaileyales, magnoliids, monocots, and ceratophyllales. In: Simpson MG (ed) Plant systematics, 3rd edn. Academic Press, Cambridge, MA, pp 187–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812628-8.50007-9

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  8. Sethiya NK, Shekh MR, Singh PK (2019) Wild banana [Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman.]: ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological overview. J Ethnopharmacol 233:218–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.12.048

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. The plant list (2013) Ensete. http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Musaceae/Ensete/. Accessed 20 Jan 2023

  10. Sahle M, Saito O, Demissew S (2021) Exploring the multiple contributions of enset (Ensete ventricosum) for sustainable management of home garden agroforestry system in Ethiopia. Curr Res Environ SustainJ 3:100101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2021.100101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Yemata G (2020) Ensete ventricosum: a multipurpose crop against hunger in Ethiopia. Sci World J 2020:6431849. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6431849

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kachroo M, Agrawal SS (2011) Biological activity of seeds of wild banana (Ensete superbum Cheesm, Family Musaceae). In: Preedy VR, Watson RR, Patel VB (eds) Nuts and seeds in health and disease prevention. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 1165–1172. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-375688-6.10138-0

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  13. Venkatesan L, Muzemil S, Fiche F, Grant M, Studholme DJ (2022) Genome resources for Ensete ventricosum (Enset) and related species. In: Chapman MA (ed) Underutilised crop genomes. Compendium of plant genomes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-00848-1_19

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. Tamrat S, Borrell JS, Shiferaw E, Wondimu T, Kallow S, Davies RM et al (2020) Reproductive biology of wild and domesticated Ensete ventricosum: further evidence for maintenance of sexual reproductive capacity in a vegetatively propagated perennial crop. Plant Biol 24:482–491

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kidane SA, Haukeland S, Meressa BH, Hvoslef-Eide AK, Coyne DL (2021) Planting material of enset (Ensete ventricosum), a key food security crop in southwest Ethiopia, is a key element in the dissemination of plant-parasitic nematode infection. Front Plant Sci 12:664155. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.664155

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Olango TM, Tesfaye B, Catellani M, Pè ME (2014) Indigenous knowledge, use and on-farm management of enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) diversity in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 10:41. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-10-41

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Pijls LTJ, Timmer AAM, Wolde-Gebriel Z, West CE (1995) Cultivation, preparation and consumption of Ensete (Ensete ventricosum) in Ethiopia. J Sci Food Agric. Wiley 67:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740670102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Tesfaye A, Girma A (2017) Phytochemistry, pharmacology and nutraceutical potential of enset (Ensete ventricosum). Afr J Basic Appl Biosci. 9:112–117. https://doi.org/10.5829/idosi.ajbas.2017.112.117

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Birhanu T, Adiko T, Duraisamy R (2023) Phytochemical screening and multivariate analysis on physicochemical and nutraceutical value of kocho from false banana (Ensete). Int J Food Sci 2023:6666635. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6666635

  20. Fanta SW, Neela S (2019) A review on nutritional profile of the food from Ensete. Nutr Food Sci Emerald 49:824–843

    Google Scholar 

  21. Vasundharan SK, Raghunathan J, Arunachalam A, Narayana SKK (2013) Investigation into the pharmacognostical and phytochemical features of seeds of Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman: an unexplored medicinal plant of India. Pharmacogn J 5:163–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phcgj.2013.07.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Hölscher D, Schneider B (1998) Phenylphenalenones from Ensete ventricosum. Phytochemistry 49:2155–2157. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00423-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Kumar RN, Muthukumaran P, Kumar KS, Karthikeyen R (2019) Phytochemical characterization of bioactive compound from the Ensete superbum seed powder. Int J Pure Appl Biosci 6:635–643. https://doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Kachroo M, Agrawal SS (2009) Isolation, characterization and anti-fertility activity of the active moiety from the seeds of Ensete superbum Cheesm (Banakadali). J Nurs Res:12–20.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Onyeaku US (2021) Phytochemical and antibacterial studies of Ensete gilletii root extracts. Dissertation, Federal University of Technology Minna

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kitdamrongsont K, Pothavorn P, Swangpol S, Wongniam S, Atawongsa K, Svasti J et al (2008) Anthocyanin composition of wild bananas in Thailand. J Agric Food Chem 56:10853–10857. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf8018529

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Kumar RN (2018) Phytochemical characterization of bioactive compound from the Ensete superbum seed powder. Int J Pure Appl Biosci Vital Biotech 6:635–643.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Kumar P, Badgujar SK, Nathar VN (2013) Preliminary screening of different phytochemicals from Ensete superbum (roxb.) Cheesman: a highly medicinal plant of Indian origin. Int J Pharmaceut Phytopharmacol Res 3:57–60.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Merrigan KA (2005) Organic food regulations: part art, part science. In: Hasler CM (ed) Regulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals: a global perspective. Wiley, New York, pp 69–78.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  30. Nascimento GGF, Locatelli J, Freitas PC, Silva GL (2000) Antibacterial activity of plant extracts and phytochemicals on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Braz J Microbiol 31:247–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Afolayan M, Abubakar S, Adedayo A, Doyinsola I, Adebisi F (2014) In vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of wild banana [Ensete gilletii (E. A. J. DE Wildman)] seeds extract. Int J Adv Chem. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijac.v2i2.1981

  32. Demissie AG, Abera A (2015) Screening potential probiotic bacteria as starter culture from traditional fermented Ensete (Ensete ventricosum (WELW)). Cheesman J Biol Agric Healthcare 5:74–84.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Fadipe AL, Tanko E, Dauda BEN, Mann A, Oyeleke SO (2019) Phytochemical and antibacterial studies of Ensete giletii leaf extract and fractions. In: Book of Proceedings of 2nd SPS Biennial Conference held at FUT Minna, Niger State, Nigeria from 25th–27th June, 2019, pp 13–23

    Google Scholar 

  34. Halliwell B, Gutteridge JMC (1990) Role of free radicals and catalytic metal ions in human disease: an overview. Meth Enzymol 186:1–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/0076-6879(90)86093-b

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Li Y, Zhang J-J, Xu D-P, Zhou T, Zhou Y, Li S et al (2016) Bioactivities and health benefits of wild fruits. Int J Mol Sci 17:1258. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17081258

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Hagerman AE, Rice ME, Ritchard NT (1998) Mechanisms of protein precipitation for two tannins, pentagalloyl glucose and epicatechin16 (4→8) catechin (procyanidin). J Agric Food Chem 46:2590–2595. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf971097k

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Gil MI, Tomás-Barberán FA, Hess-Pierce B, Holcroft DM, Kader AA (2000) Antioxidant activity of pomegranate juice and its relationship with phenolic composition and processing. J Agric Food Chem 48:4581–4589. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf000404a

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Sasipriya G, Maria CL, Siddhuraju P (2014) Influence of pressure cooking on antioxidant activity of wild (Ensete superbum) and commercial banana (Musa paradisiaca var. Monthan) unripe fruit and flower. J Food Sci Technol 51:2517–2525. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-012-0791-z

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Mathew NS, Negi PS (2021) Phenolic content and anti-oxidative attributes of various parts of wild banana (Ensete superbum Roxb. Cheesman) plant. J Food Biochem 45:e13657. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.13657

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Iyengar MA, Pendse GS (1967) The effect of the seed of Musa superba roxb. on small–pox virus. Planta Med. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart New York 15:416–419.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Dutta NK, Dave KH, Desai SM, Mhasalkar MY et al (1968) Anti-variola and antivaccinia principles from seeds of Banakadali (Ensete superbum, Cheesm, Musaceae). Indian J Med Res 56:735–741

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Rangel Lopes de Campos (2004) In vitro characterization of the antiviral activity of Secomet V against vaccinia virus infections. Dissertation, University of Cape Town.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Dubiwak AD, Damtew TW, Senbetu MW, Yewhalaw D, Asere TG, Nemo G et al (2021) Hepatoprotective effect of corm of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman extract against isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. J Toxicol 2021:4760455. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/4760455

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Yang R, Chu X, Sun L, Kang Z, Ji M, Yu Y et al (2018) Hypolipidemic activity and mechanisms of the total phenylpropanoid glycosides from Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume by AMPK-SREBP-1c pathway in hamsters fed a high-fat diet. Phytother Res 32:715–722. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6023

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Habtemariam S, Varghese GK (2017) Antioxidant, anti-alpha-glucosidase and pancreatic beta-cell protective effects of methanolic extract of Ensete superbum Cheesm seeds. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2:121–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2016.10.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Sreekutty MS, Mini S (2016) Ensete superbum ameliorates renal dysfunction in experimental Diabetes mellitus. Iran J Basic Med Sci 19:111–118. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27096072

  47. Dutta NK, Mhasalkar MY, Fernando GR (1920) A study on the antifertility action of VIDR-2GD: a constituent isolated from the seeds of Ensete superbum, Cheesm, Musaceae (Banakadali). Fertil Steril 21:247–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)37392-7

  48. Kant R, Singh TG, Singh S (2020) Mechanistic approach to herbal formulations used for urolithiasis treatment. Obesity Medicine 19:100266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Diana KJ, George KV (2013) Urinary stone formation: efficacy of seed extract of Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman on growth inhibition of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate crystals. J Cryst Growth 363:164–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Mol GJ, Shamina S (2015) Effect of marker enzymes in urolithiatic rats treated with Ensete superbum Roxb. seed extract. World J Pharm Pharm Sci 24:920–927. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20153163652

    Google Scholar 

  51. Sethiya NK, Brahmbhat K, Chauhan B, Mishra SH (2017) Antiurolithiatic activity of Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman (wild banana) pseudostem on ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis in rats. Ind J Trad Knowl 16:303–309

    Google Scholar 

  52. Valentová K (2020) Cytoprotective activity of natural and synthetic antioxidants. Antioxidants (Basel) 9:713. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9080713

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Habtemariam S, Varghese GK (2017) Antioxidant, anti-alpha-glucosidase and pancreatic beta-cell protective effects of methanolic extract of Ensete superbum Cheesm seeds. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 7:121–125. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169116310905

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Sivakrishnan S (2019) Liver diseases-an overview. World J Pharm Pharm Sci 8:1385–1395

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Dubiwak AD, Gerema U, Abdisa D, Tofik E, Reta W (2022) Amelioration of nephrotoxicity in mice induced by antituberculosis drugs using Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman corm extract. Int J Nephrol 2022:6941509. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6941509

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  56. Sharifi-Rad M, Fokou PVT, Sharopov F, Martorell M, Ademiluyi AO, Rajkovic J et al (2018) Antiulcer agents: from plant extracts to phytochemicals in healing promotion. Molecules 23:1751

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Kaur D, Rana AC, Sharma N, Kumar S (2012) Herbal drugs with anti-ulcer activity. J Basic Appl Pharm Sci 2:160–165

    Google Scholar 

  58. Hailu D (2021) Anti-ulcer activity of aqueous root extract of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman (Musaceae) in experimental rats. Dissertation, Addis Abeba University.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Roy RN, Bhagwager S, Dutta NK (1968) Pharmacological observations on the fractions isolated from seed of Banakadali. Indian J Pharm Sci 30:285

    Google Scholar 

  60. Brandt SA, Spring A, Clifton Hiebsch J, McCabe T, Tabogie E, Diro M, Wolde-Michael G, Yntiso G, Shigeta M, Tesfaye S (1997) Tree against hunger: enset-based agricultural systems in Ethiopia. Am Assoc Adv Sci. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1284

    Google Scholar 

  61. Korpenwar AN (2012) Ethnomedicinal plants used by Bhilala tribals in Buldhana district (M. S). Indian J Adv Plant Res. 2:47–51

    Google Scholar 

  62. Pawar S, Patil DA (2011) Ethnomedicinal plants in Jalgaon District: current status. Curr Bot 2:15–21

    Google Scholar 

  63. Fingolo CE, Braga JMA, Vieira ACM, Moura MRL, Kaplan MAC (2012) The natural impact of banana inflorescences (Musa acuminata) on human nutrition. An Acad Bras Cienc 84:891–898. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0001-37652012005000067

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Robles H (2005) Tannic acid. In: Wexler P (ed) Encyclopedia of toxicology, 2nd edn. Elsevier, New York, pp 134–136

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  65. Sankar A, Kumar SA, Kumaravel M, Raameshkumar S (2013) Ensete superbum (Roxb) leaves extract as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acid medium. Int J Adv Innov Res 2:201–205

    Google Scholar 

  66. Tesfaye RE (2021)Analysis of the values of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) in the socio-cultural life of the gurage of South-Central Ethiopia. Int J Social Sci And Human Res 4:2671–2678

    Google Scholar 

  67. Teli MD, Teraga JM (2017) Chemical, physical and thermal characterization of Ensete ventricosum plant fibre. Int Res J Eng Technol 4:67–71

    Google Scholar 

  68. Daba T, Shigeta M (2016) Enset (Ensete ventricosum) production in Ethiopia: its nutritional and socio-cultural values. Agriculture and Food Sciences Research Zone, 3:66–74

    Google Scholar 

  69. Berhanu H, Kiflie Z, Miranda I, Lourenço A, Ferreira J, Feleke S, et al. (2018) Characterization of crop residues from false banana Ensete ventricosum in Ethiopia in view of a full-resource valorization. PLoS One 13:e0199422. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199422

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors express their appreciation for the support provided by the Deanship of Scientific Research, Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia [Grant No. GRANT4209].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, India

    Akshatha Banadka, Varsha Toppo, Wudali Narasimha Sudheer, Rashmi Ramakrishnan, Vasantha Veerappa Lakshmaiah & Praveen Nagella

  2. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

    Jameel M. Al-Khayri

Authors
  1. Akshatha Banadka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Varsha Toppo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wudali Narasimha Sudheer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rashmi Ramakrishnan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Vasantha Veerappa Lakshmaiah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jameel M. Al-Khayri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Praveen Nagella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jameel M. Al-Khayri or Praveen Nagella .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

    Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy

  2. Research Center for the Development of Advanced Horticultural Technology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea (Republic of)

    Kee Yoeup Paek

  3. Dept of Horticultural Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea (Republic of)

    So-Young Park

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Banadka, A. et al. (2023). Bioactive Compounds and Biological Activities of Ensete Species. In: Murthy, H.N., Paek, K.Y., Park, SY. (eds) Bioactive Compounds in the Storage Organs of Plants. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29006-0_4-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29006-0_4-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-29006-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-29006-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Chemistry and Mat. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation