Document Type : Original
Authors
1
Department of Public Health, Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, Nigeria.; Department of Microbiology, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
2
Department of Microbiology, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
3
Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
Abstract
Background and objective: Numerous studies have documented the existence of antimicrobial compounds within different plant components, including leaves, bark, fruit, root, and flowers. Moringa species have been extensively studied and documented as plant herbs, primarily due to their exceptional nutritional and medicinal characteristics. This study aimed to carry out phytocompound screening of Moringa oleifera extract using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy technique.
Materials and methods: For extraction, 100 ml of ethanol per gram of plant leaf powder was used. The ethanolic extract was subjected to vacuum drying at 40 °C. Then, 10 mg of dry extract was solubilized in 1 ml of ethanol. The phytochemicals extracted from Moringa oleifera leaves were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer.
Results and conclusion: Eleven compounds were detected through the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the leaf extract of M. oleifera. Among these compounds, the most prevalent were methyl (11E)-11-octadecanoate, accounting for 30.15% of the identified compounds, and cis octadecanoic acid, which constituted 19.16% of the total compounds. This study has demonstrated that the leaf extract of M. oleifera possesses phytochemical compounds that have the potential to serve as substitutes for antibiotics, antihelminthics, and antivirals against various infectious agents. Additionally, they can function as nutritional supplements for non-infectious diseases. Moreover, they exhibit antioxidant properties and can be utilized as flavor enhancers.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)