Isolation of Lactobacillus and Enzymatic Activity of Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) in Musa spp.

Background: Bananas grown in the tropic and subtropic regions are among the important crops worldwide. Banana is a general term embracing a number of species or hybrids in the genus Musa, family Musceae. Objective: The present research discusses extensively the breakthrough in the utilization of Musa i.e. Banana from its unripe to ripening phase in order to conclude the presence of Lactobacilli and enzymatic activity of Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR). DHFR, a ubiquitous enzyme, is involved in the metabolism and stability of folate (vitamin B9), and causes the reduction of dihydrofolate into tetrahydrofolate (folate or vit B9), which is utilized in amino acids and purine production. It has been studied that the deficiency of DHFR or its inhibition can lead to Megaloblastic anemia, Neural tube defects, improper synthesis of DNA and RNA, colorectal cancer, etc. The presence of the DHFR enzyme in bananas can be utilized in the treatment of diseases related to deficiency of folate, which can become a cheaper and cost-effective way to keep a balance in the folate metabolism and keep the activity of the enzyme maximum. Methodology: The fresh unripe banana samples were collected from an urban fruit market in Karachi, serially diluted, and inoculated into the Nutrient agar, Mannitol salt agar, and De Man, Rogosa, Sharpe agar media to check for microbial growth. The enzymatic activity of DHFR and its association with Musa was also checked by using DHFR substrate. Results: The results concluded from our experiment are that the Musa contains Gram-positive bacilli that were further tested to characterize the microorganism into its respective genus, indicating the presence of Lactobacillus in the banana. The enzymatic activity of DHFR was observed at maximum on day 2 and minimum enzymatic activity was observed on day 4. Conclusion: Hence, people suffering from folic acid deficiency, DHFR enzyme and consumption of day 2 bananas can be prescribed. Not only this, the presence of Lactobacilli as probiotics in bananas restore consumer’s intestinal microbial dysbiosis and maintain healthy intestinal ecosystem.  Furthermore, herbal medicines can be made from banana and given to patients in order to restore the deficiency.