Characterization of the phytochemical constituents of methanol extract of <i>Spondias mombin</i> stem bark using high performance-liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy

Abstract

Spondias mombin is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. This study was aimed to analyze the bioactive components of the methanol extract of S. mombin stem by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Gas  Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Quantitative analysis of the extract showed that it had appreciable quantities of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and proanthocyanidins. The HPLC fingerprints of the extract also revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, other phenols, and steroids. The most prevalent flavonoids were the flavones, and the alkaloids present in high concentrations were ribalinidine and linamarin. Some other phenolics, such as resveratrol, ellagic acid, chlorogenic and pyrogallic, were in high concentration. The GC-MS data detected bioactive compounds; notably among them were 9,12 -octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid), n-hexadecanoic acid, and 9-oxo nonanoic acid. This study has established the presence of bioactive chemicals in the methanol extract of S. mombin stem bark, and these phytochemicals could be responsible for the plant’s medicinal properties.