Abstract

Moringa oleifera is called a miracle plant due to its diverse uses and several medicinal benefits all over the world. There are several bioactive secondary metabolites yet to be discovered. This study was conducted to actuate the biochemical content of ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (ELEMO) using Agilent Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Quantitative phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extracts of the leaf revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids and phenols. The GC-MS results of the extract were relevant to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. GC-MS analysis of ELEMO showed the presence of n-hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (33.42), Pentadecanoic acid, 14-methyl-methyl ester (36.23), Ethyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate (33.12 and 4-(4-Chlorobenzoyl)-1-cyclohexyl-5-tosylamino-1 H-1,2,3-triazole (31.24). Results from this study may potentiate the discovery of more valuable bioactive components of industrial and pharmaceutical importance.

Key words: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Leaf extract, Medicinal benefits, Moringa oleifera, Phytochemicals