The Extraction and GC-MS Characterization of Leaf Extract of Piper guineense (Uziza Leaf)

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The extraction and GC-MS characterisation of leaf extract of Piper guineense (uziza leaf) were carried out. The leaves were collected, washed, shade dried and powdered. N-hexane extracts were prepared using the soxhlet extraction method. All the extracts were concentrated and analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy for the identification of biochemical components present in the leaves of Piper guineense and the results showed these results: alkaloids (+), flavonoids (+), cardiac glycosides (+), steroids (+), saponins (+) and tannins (-). In the GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds, more than twenty-eight (28) bioactive compounds were discovered in the leaf extract of P. guineense. These compounds according to studies have medicinal values, which include β-sitosterol (C29H50O), MW(414), RT(9.404), Stigmasterol (C29H48O), MW(412), RT(9.542), Vitamin E (C29H50O2), MW (430), RT(10.095), Phytol (C20H40O), MW(296), RT(16.079), Cis-α-bisabolene (C15H24), MW (204), RT (18.863), 1- Heptatriacotanol (C37H76O), MW (536) and RT(8.128) among others, which are some of the essential bioactive compounds found in the GC-MS leaf extract. Consequently, the above bioactive compounds and others give the leaf a high potency of nutrients with some medicinal benefits, which make it good for consumption. KEYWORDS: Chromatography, Spectrometry, Soxhlation, Guineense, Peak.