GC-MS ANALYSIS OF BIO-ACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF DETARIUM SENEGALENSES

Abstract

Phytochemicals contain valuable therapeutic compounds which have been used in the treatment of several ailments. Some of which have been used as antibacterial, antifungal, anticonstipative, antispasmolytic, antiplasmodial and antioxidant agents as well as in the chemical and food industries. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of the ethanol extract of
the stem bark of D. senegalense using GC–MS. The stem bark was collected, air-dried, crushed and milled to obtain a powder. Standard extraction methods were used to obtain the extract. GC–MS analysis was carried out on the extract using GC 7890B, MSD 5977A, Agilent Tech. 16 compounds were identified among which were 3-ethyl-3-heptanol which showed the highest peak area
(35.30 %) and the lowest peak area was dodecyl nonyl ether (0.31%). The other major compounds identified were 1,2,3,4-tetradecanetetrol, D-Fucose, 6-hepten-3-ol, 3-ethyl-3-heptanol, 4-heptenoic acid, methyl ester, 3-methyl-2-(2-oxopropyl) furan, docosanoic acid nonyl ester. These phytochemicals may be responsible for the medicinal efficacy of the stem bark of the plant as claimed by traditional practitioners and can they can be used as sources of therapeutic drugs as well as in the chemical industries