GC-MS, Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Analysis of Pentaclethra Macrophylla Leaf

Abstract

Pentaclethra macrophylla is a plant used all over the world for its good nutritional qualities as well medicinal importance, the chemical constituents of this plant has not been fully documented. On this basis, it became necessary to probe more into this plant forits medicinal constituents The leaf of Pentaclethra macrophyllawas analyzed for its phytochemical and anti-microbial propertieswith the aid of; Shimazu Japan GC model 5890-11, GC-MS QP 2010 PLUS Shimazu Japan and Jenway digital Spectrophtometer model 6303. The GC-MS analysis of the leaf of Pentaclethra macrophylla gave 8 compounds ; z, z -2, 15 –octadecedien -1-ol acetate (6.90 %), hexadecanoic acid (3.14 %), n-hexadecanoic acid (10.69%), 6-octadecenoic acid (13.84 %),octadecanoic acid (8.18 %), (.2H) phenanthrenone (42.14 %) ,Pregnan-2-one (6.29 %) and -4-methylene-1-methyl-2- (z– methyl 1-propene -1- yl) cyclo hexane (9.43 %).The phytochemical compositon of the sample showed that the alkaloid composition was 1.76 %, with corresponding values of 1.35.%, 0.91%,  3.7ppm and 0.86 ppm for flavonoids,saponins, phenols and tannins respectively The extracts showed marked inhibition of the growth of seven selected pathogens; Pseudomonas aeruginosa13 mm, Staphylococcus aureus 13 mm, Escherichia coli17.5 mm, Salmonella typhi16 mm, Candida albican10 mms,Aspergillus niger 13 mm and Penicillium12mm with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 25mg/cm³, 12.5 mg/cm³,6.5 mg/cm³, 25 mg/cm³,12.5mg/cm³, 6.5 mg/cm³ and  25mg/cm³respectively. These finds lend credence to the ethnomedicinal applications of these plant part in the treatment of various ailments