Bioactive compounds of Prosopis africana oil (african mesquite) using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique

Phytochemicals (bioactive compounds) are generally regarded as chemicals of plant origin used for plants for growth, defense against competitors and pathogens. They also have a wide range of pharmacological activities including – antiarrhythmic, antioxidant, antimalarial, vasodilatory, antimicrobial, analgesics, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, hypo-cholesterolemic, anti-androgenic, antiviral, antifungal and immune-modulatory. This study was carried out to investigate the bioactive compounds of Prosopis africana oil (african mesquite) using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry technique. A total of 73 bioactive compounds 77.16% were identified based on their peak areas. The major compounds identified in the oil sample were; prosogerin A 29.90%, caryophyllene 12.33%, 2,4-bis (1-phenylethyl) phenol 5.80%, gallic acid 5.22%, β-cyclocitral 3.11%, β-sitosterol 2.50%, α-terpinene 2.09% and ellagic acid 2.04%. The other compounds were less than 1%, however, they exert various pharmacological properties. It was concluded that Prosopis africana oil is loaded with phytochemicals and also has several health promoting properties and it can also be used as a remedy for the treatment of several ailments in human being and animals.