Phytochemical Studies and GC-MS Analysis of Chloroform Extract of the Leaves of Aspilia africana

Aim: The aim of this research was extraction, phytochemical studies and GCMS analysis of Aspilia africana.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the University of Benin, Benin-City and University of Lagos Central Research Laboratory, Nigeria from January 2016 to September 2016.

Methodology: 200 g of the pulverized plant sample was extracted with hexane, chloroform and methanol in this order for 8-12 hours. The extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator to obtain the crude extract. The phytochemical test was carried out using standard methods. The GCMS was carried out using Agilent Technologies 7890A couple with Agilent Technologies 5975C VL MSD. The mobile phase is helium gas while the stationary phase was the column agilent technology HP5 MS with length 30m, internal diameter 0.320 mm and thickness 0.25 microns. The volume injected is 1 microlitre, oven initial temperature was 80°C to hold for 2 minutes. The mode was split less and scan range was 35-55.

Results: The phytochemicals of the leaves of Aspilia africana were extracted with chloroform by Soxhlet method and analysed using GC-MS. Ten constituents were identified constituting 92.714% hydrocarbon. Caryophyllene (29.43%), 2-Carene (19.76%) and Germacrene D (33.3%) were the major components of the extract. The phytochemical analysis was carried out by standard methods. The results revealed the presence of a number of therapeutically important phytochemicals such as alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and glycosides in the extract.

Conclusion: The results of the phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis indicate that the leaves of Aspilia africana are a rich source of a number of bioactive secondary metabolites which include alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoid, glycosides and terpenoids. This justifies the use of the plant in the traditional practices of herbal medicine, especially in the treatment of microbe-induced disease conditions.