Analysis of Phytocomponents in the n-Hexane Extract from the Stem Bark of Parinari polyandra (Benth) using FTIR and GC-MS

Abstract

Parinari polyandra belongs to the family chrysobalanaceae which is made up of 115 genera and with about 3200 species distributed all over the world. Parinari polyandra also known as Maranthes is a savannah tree with very conspicuous whitish or pinkish flowers in dense and flattened panicles at the end of the branches. Parinari polyandra is about 8m high with a gnarled and twisted bore. Leaves are 6-13cm long by 3-8cm broad; usually round at both ends and sometimes with a very short pointed tip, leathery dark green and glossy on its top. This present study is aimed at investigating the phytochemicals present in n-hexane extract of the stem bark using FTIR and GCMS spectroscopy. The phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoid, steroids, tannins and saponins. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) result reveals the presence of aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, amines, phenols, alkenes, anhydride, aliphatic and aromatic compounds. The Gas Chromatography- Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) chromatogram indicated that the n-hexane extracts contain 20 compounds as indicated that could be associated with their pharmacological properties. This study justifies the ethno medicinal uses of the plants stem bark for the treatment of various ailment due to the presence of some phytochemical constituents that found uses in pharmacology.