Elucidation of Phytochemicals in Mitracarpus Vilosus Flower Extract using GC-MS

Abstract

Mitracarpus villosus which belongs to the family of Rubiaceae is one of the important medicinal plants widely known for its broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and biological uses which includes antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, and antibacterial activities amongst others. It is used in the treatment of various ailments such as ulcers, and skin-related infections like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and acne. This study elucidated the phytochemical properties of Mitracarpus villosus flower. This was achieved through the methanolic extraction of M. villosus flower, and further phytochemical analysis of the methanol extract such as the tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and cardiac glucoside contents. Moreso, the use of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) technique was employed on the methanolic extract to isolate and characterize the different bioactive compounds present and to further validate the qualitative data obtained from the phytochemical analysis. Results obtained exhibited the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, and cardiac glucoside, with a noticeable absence of terpenoids. Also, the GC-MS analysis showed spectra of 52 bioactive compounds present in the extract with five specific compounds having the highest composition such as oleic acid (14.76%), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (11.25%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (10.92%), octadecanoic acid (9.21%), and squalene (8.87%) having the highest composition. The presence of these phytochemicals with their numerous biological activities in the methanolic extract of M. vilosus flower makes it a promising pharmaco-therapeutic agent, and thus should be employed in medicine for the treatment of diseases and also as an active agent in the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical industries.

Keywords: Mitracarpus vilosus flower, Phytochemicals, Methanol extracts, GC-MS

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-14-05

Publication date:July 31^st 2022