GC-MS Analyses of N-Hexane Extract and Fatty Acids Content in Clerodendrum splendens (Glory Flower) Leaf

Abstract

The fatty acids contents of the leaves of Clerodendrum splendens were analyzed using Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). Fatty acids identified in leaf sample accounted for the ratio of w-6:w-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids present as approximately 2:1 and Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid as having the highest percentage (41.65%) with Capric acid having the lowest percentage (0.0021%). Other fatty acids present as revealed by analysis of n-hexane extract of C. splendens are Palmitic (29.33%), Linolenic (16.96%), Oleic (5.03%) and Stearic (3.65%) acids in significant amounts. The study showed that Clerodendrum splendens n- hexane extracts could yield polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), the presence of essential fatty acids (EFA) and high omega-6 content in the leaf extract have validated the importance of C. splendens in the diet, thus establishing it as pharmaceutically relevant medicinal plant.

Keywords: Clerodendrum splendens, fatty acids, GC-MS.