Objective: Antioxidant and estimation of Peroxide Value (POV) to ascertain anti-rancidity potential of extract of Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiaca peels was studied.

Methods: The antioxidant properties of Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiaca peels extract were analysed using standard methods.

Results: The results revealed that Musa sapientum peel extracts treated with palm oil contained 15.34±0.012 mgGAE/g of phenol while Musa paradisiaca peels extract treated with palm oil contained 10.033±0.043 mgGAE/g of phenol. The peel extracts of Musa sapientum treated with oil palm contained 18.5±0.004 mg RTE/g showed a significant increase (p > 0.05) in flavonoid content compare to that of Musa paradisiaca peels with 4.32±0.004 mg RTE/g. Musa paradisiaca peels extract added to palm oil shows significant increase (p > 0.05) in tannin content in the palm oil. The carotene content in the palm oil was reduced by Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiaca peels extract as extracts recorded 122.2±0.02 mg/100 g and 112.3±0.011 mg/100 g respectively compared to 234.0±0.005 mg/100 g recorded in the palm oil. The vitamin E content in the oil palm was also reduced by the two peel extracts.

Conclusions: The two peels extract demonstrated high level of anti-rancidity properties since the extracts were able to reduce the level of peroxide content measured in the palm oil.