Promising Future of Banana Peel on Fish Performance and Health Status: A Review

There is a growing need for feed owing to the increasing consumption of aquatic products. Aquaculture is regarded as one of the main pillars of global food supply and is a significant source of fish food. Fishmeal and fish oil, which are essential components of fish meal made from limited marine resources, are in high demand because of the growing aquaculture output. Fish raised in aquaculture may be more sustainable if they are less reliant on marine resources. One strategy is to replace fishmeal with alternative proteins. Presently, fruit and vegetables (FV) account for a significant portion of the 1.3 billion tons of food lost and wasted annually. Although bananas (Musa spp.) are widely grown as food, their peel is frequently discarded, similar to other agricultural byproducts. Since banana peel does not conflict with human food security and has been used in several parts of the world for medicine, it has the potential to be turned into a functional feed. Nutritious elements found in banana peels include proteins, carbohydrates, fat, moisture, and ash, and they contain high concentrations of beneficial substances, including carotenoids (beta, alpha, and lutein) and phenolic (flavonoids) compounds. Phenolic chemicals have strong antidisease effects on organisms, particularly those linked to oxidative stress. Banana peels have been shown to boost immunological response and improve antioxidant capacity in animals. This chapter discusses the nutritional value and bioactive components of banana peels. In addition, their application as feed additives and supplements to aquatic species in terms of growth performance, immune response, antioxidant activity, and gene expression is discussed.