Proximate Analysis and Phytochemical Profile of Brachystegia eurycoma Leaves

Aim: This study investigated the proximate and phytochemical composition of Brachystegia eurycoma leaves. Methods: Crude ethanol extract of B. eurycoma leaves was obtained by cold extraction method. AOAC method was used for proximate analysis. Phytochemical profiling was done with qualitative phytochemical evaluation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analytical method. Matching and interpretation of the spectral was done with the National Institute standard and Technology (NIST05) library. Results: The proximate analysis result showed B. eurycoma leaves to be abundant in param­eters evaluated in the order of 31.47±0.43% Carbohydrate > 15.15±0.04% Ash > 14.45±0.15 crude fibre > 13.83±0.32 protein > 13.14±0.22 moisture > 1.97±0.01 fat. Qualitative phytochemical analysis detected alkaloid, saponin, tannin, diterpenes, phenol, quinine, flavonoid, protein, xanthoprotein and cardiac glycoside in the leaves of B. eurycoma. GC/MS data showed that the prevailing volatile bioactive compounds in ethanol leaf extract of B. eurycoma were 3-O-Methyl-d-glucose (13.23%), cis-9-Hexadecenal (10.40%), Desulphosinigrin (10.34%), Phytol (7.58%), Hydroquinone (7.23%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (6.61%), Oleoyl chloride (6.10%), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (5.89%), Hexadecanoic acid, (2.97%), Benzofuran, 2,3-dihydro-(1.94%), Hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) (1.92%). Conclusion: The result of this preliminary investigation reveals the potentials of B. eurycoma leaves as candidate for food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries.

Solvent Extraction and GC-MS Analysis of Sesame Seeds for Determination of Bioactive Antioxidant Fatty Acid/Fatty Oil Components

The seed kernels of Sesamum indicum L. (family: Pedaliaceae) were extracted with ethanol and yield of components determined by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The free radical scavenging activities of ethanolic extract against1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were determined by UV spectrophotometer at 517 nm. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of numerous bioactive compounds including steroids, phenolic, terpenoids, fatty acids and different types of ester compounds. The ethanolic extract was purified and analyzed by GC MS.The prevailing compounds found in ethanolic extract were Carvacrol (0.04%),Sesamol (0.11%), 4-Allyl-2-methoxy-phenol(0.04%),Palmitic acid (1.08%), cis-9-Hexadecenal (85.40%), Lineoleoyl chloride (0.52%), Palmitic acid β-monoglyceride (0.40%), Dihydro-aplotaxene (0.61%), Oleoyl chloride (1.11%), (+)-Sesamin (4.73%), 1,3-Benzodioxole, 5-[4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)tetrahydro-1 H,3 H-furo [3,4-c]furan-1-yl], [1 S-(1,3,4,6α.), (2.01%)], 6-Nitrocholest-5-en-3-yl acetate (0.22%), Ergost-5-en-3β-ol (2.35%) and 24-Propylidenecholesterol (0.16%). The presence ofsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids in ethanolicextract justifies the use of this plant to treat many ailments in folk and traditional medicine. Ethanolic extract have shown significant antioxidant activity(IC50120.38±2.8 µg/ml). The presence of phenolic (Sesamol), lignin (Sesamin) compounds and unsaturated fatty acids are reported as possible contributor for antioxidantactivity of seed extract.

Synthesis and Characterization of the Water-Soluble Oleoyl Acetyl Chitosan

Oleoyl chloride was synthesized by oleic acid and thionyl dichloride (SOCl2), and then reacted with chitosan in dichloromethane to obtain the oleoyl chitosan. Novel water-soluble oleoyl acetyl chitosan (OACh) was synthesized using oleoyl chloride reacted with acetic anhydride in pyridine. The chemical structure of the OACh was characterized by FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR. There existed the peaks at 1743.9 cm-1 (C=O) and 1658.1 cm-1(C=C) in FT-IR spectrum, and the peaks at 170.8, 171.6 and 172.5 ppm which were assigned to the C=O of the oleoyl and acetyl groups in 13C NMR spectrum. The results indicated that OACh had oleoyl as hydrophobic moieties and acetyl as hydrophilic moieties.

Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activities of New Fatty Acid Esters of 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol

In order to find new lead compounds with antitumour activies, thirteen new fatty acid esters of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) were synthesized using oleoyl chloride or fatty acids and N,N’-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC). Their cytotoxic activities were tested using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] method, and the structure- activity relationships between the fatty acid esters of PPD and their cytotoxic activities are discussed.