Formulation and evaluation of banana peel-based herbal cream for antibacterial and antifungal applications in cosmetic products

ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop and evaluate antimicrobial herbal creams formulated with fresh and dried banana peel (FBP and DBP) extracts for cosmetic applications. Given the abundance of lignocellulosic and bioactive compounds in banana peels, their use in skincare products may provide a natural alternative to synthetic antimicrobial agents. Creams were prepared using standardized formulations containing either fresh or dried banana peel extract. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Aspergillus niger , and Candida albicans using the agar well diffusion method. Physical properties, including spreadability, pH, homogeneity, and stability, were also evaluated and compared to a commercial cream. The FBP-based cream exhibited strong antibacterial activity, particularly against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa , with inhibition zones up to 40.73 mm. In contrast, the DBP-based cream showed superior antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. niger , with zones up to 49.63 mm. FBP creams also demonstrated better spreadability (34.0 g·cm/s) and uniformity compared to DBP. The results suggest that banana peel extracts possess significant antimicrobial properties and are suitable for use in topical formulations. FBP is more effective for antibacterial applications, while DBP shows stronger antifungal activity. Combining both may offer broad-spectrum protection. Further work should include compound characterization and formulation controls to optimize efficacy.