GC-MS BIOPROSPECTING OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF FRESH Mangifera indica LEAVES

Abstract

A structural analysis of phytochemical constituents present in the ethanolic extract of Mangifera indica fresh leaves were investigated to assert presence of bioactive compounds corresponding to reported antioxidant, antibacterial, antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic and anthelmintics properties of the plant. Extraction was carried out on homogenised fresh leaves of Mangifera indica using conventional soxhlet apparatus, with ethanol chosen to selectively extract polar compounds of higher terpenes and hydrocarbons. The Mangifera indica fresh leaves extract (MIFL) was separated and quantified by a Gas Liquid Chromatography, while identification and structural elucidation of the phytochemicals were obtained by a Mass spectrometer producing spectra lines with high accuracy in which the molecular ion lines were not lost. The GC-MS analysis indicated a total of 20 phytochemicals identified in the MIFL extract comprising; Five sesquiterpenes (1H-cycloprope-azulene, caryophyllene, humulene, 2methylene, 6 methyl, 9 propenyl - decahydro-Naphthalene and 5 isopropenyl,3,8 dimethyl octahydro-azulene), five higher hydrocarbons (consisting of E-15 heptadecanal, 3-eicosene, 1-docosene, tritetracontane and octacosane), four-4 fatty acids and esters (hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, dibutyl phthalate, bis (2-ethylhexyl phthalate, N-(2,5 dimethyl-fumaric acid heptyl ester), , four alkaloids and two plant steroids (composed of beta amyrin and 9,19-cyclolanost-24-en-3-ol). The sesquiterpenes detected in MIFL showed a consistent m/e ratio of 204 with varying base peaks in accordance with sesquiterpene molecular formula of C15H24. A part of a whole analysis of the extract characterised indicates the following: 22.22% of the fraction were plant steroids, 25.85% of sesquiterpenes were identified, 18.28% of higher hydrocarbons was found and 26.12% of fatty acids esters were detected with di-2 ethylhexyl phthalate having the highest peak area representing 16.72% of the total. Reported biological activities for the compounds found are stated as follows: antibacterial activity attributed to β-caryophyllene, dibutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP. [ ], Antioxidant and anticancer activities exhibited by β-caryophyllene and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, β-amyrin steroid elucidated, were reported responsible for antifungal activity of the extract and antihyperglycemic activity.