Characterization of Chemical Composition of Bryophyllum pinnatum Leaf Ethyl Acetate Fraction
E. S. Asiwe *
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
C. U. Igwe
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
V. A. Onwuliri
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
K. M. E. Iheanacho
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
J. N. Iheanacho
National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Jos, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To characterize the chemical composition of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf ethyl acetate fraction.
Methodology: Quantitative phytochemical composition was assessed using gas chromatography fitted with flame ionization detector (GC-FID), while chemical characterization was via gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) analysis. The mass spectra peaks were matched with those found in the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) spectral database.
Results: Results revealed a rich presence of proanthocyanin, rutin, quinine, flavan-3-ol, anthocyanin, lunamarin, sapogenin, phenol, flavonones, steroids, epicatechin, kaempferol, phytate, oxalate, resveratol, catechin, flavones, tannin, ribalinidine, naringin, and spartein in varying proportion in B. pinnatum leaves ethylacetate fractions. GC-MS analysis of the fractions revealed the presence of at least 50 constituents. The major constituents were Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (24.88%), 10,13-Octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester (29.69%), Tetracosanoic acid, methyl ester (7.84%), Methyl stearate (6.97%), cis-Methyl 11-eicosenoate (6.26%), Methyl 18-methylnonadecanoate (4.99%), Docosanoic acid, methyl ester (3.71%) and 4,7-Methano-1H-indene, octahydro- (2.43%).
Conclusion: This rich array of chemical compounds presents B. pinnatum leaves as an important source of potential lead compounds with biological and pharmacological benefits and hence a potential candidate for drug discovery.
Keywords: Phytochemicals, GC-MS, methyl esters, medicinal plant, Bryophyllum pinnatum