Active Molecule Abundance of Pipecolic Acid in Berlin Banana Flower Extracted Using Modified Ultrasonic Technology

Berlin banana flower (Musa acuminata AA) is a promising underutilized plant resource rich in 3 health-promoting bioactive compounds. This study aimed to extract, identify, and quantify 4 pipecolic acid—a bioactive molecule with anti-inflammatory potential—from different parts 5 of the flower using various extraction methods. A continuous-system designed ultrasound 6 machine (CDUM) was employed alongside ultrasonic bath and maceration methods, utilizing 7 solvents of different polarities (distilled water, 50% ethanol, and 100% ethanol). Scanning 8 electron microscope (SEM) analysis confirmed that CDUM was the most effective in 9 disrupting plant cell walls, facilitating higher compound release. Liquid chromatography-high 10 mass resolution spectrometry (LC-HRMS) profiling revealed pipecolic acid as the most 11 dominant compound in nearly all extract types, particularly in the inner bud and male flower 12 extracted with 50% ethanol. Quantification showed the highest pipecolic acid level (9.838 ppb) 13 in the inner bud-50% ethanol extract. Structural verification using fourier transform infrared 14 spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups characteristic of 15 pipecolic acid, indicating its structural integrity during extraction. These findings underscore 16 the Berlin banana flower as a potent source of naturally derived pipecolic acid, supporting its 17 potential in developing anti-inflammatory therapeutics and functional ingredients for food or 18 nutraceutical applications.