Phytochemical Screening and Quantitative Analysis of Annona muricata Leaf Ethanolic Extract by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID)

Abstract

Background: Annona muricata (soursop) leaves have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes due to its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties.  

Objective: To screen and quantitatively determine the phytochemical composition of Annona muricata leaf.

Methods: Using a BUCK M910 Gas Chromatography with a flame ionization detector, the analysis of phytochemicals was carried out. A 15 m x 250 0.15 RESTEK MXT-1 column was used. Helium 5.0pa.s was used as the carrier gas, flowing at a rate of 40 ml/min, with a splitless injection of 2ul of sample at a linear velocity of 30cm/s. The injector temperature was 280⁰C. At first, operating at 200⁰C, the oven was then increased to 330⁰C at a rate of 3⁰C per minute, and this temperature was maintained for 5min. An operating temperature of 320⁰C was used by the detector.

Results: The result shows that soursop ethanolic extract contains phytochemicals that belong to the broad class flavonoids (a class of polyphenolic compounds). They include naringenin (5.92 ug/ml), flavan-3 ol (5.70 mg/l), rutin (2.79 ug/ml), flavanones (3.28 ug/ml), kaempferol (6.15 ug/ml), flavone (1.99 ug/ml), proanthocyanin (2.36 ug/ml). Other polyphenols (not flavonoids) present include resveratrol (7.03 ug/ml), tannin (2.90 ug/ml), catechin (2.49 ug/ml), and epicatechin (7.67 ug/g). The alkaloids found include lunamarin (4.72 ug/ml) and spartein (2.07 ug/ml) while saponins found include sapogernin (16.07 ug/ml) and sapogenin (3.08 ug/ml). Other classes of phytochemicals found include steroids, cyanogenic glycoside, anti-nutrient, and cardiac glycosides.  

Conclusion:  Annona muricata leaf contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, steroids, cyanogenic glycoside and other phytochemicals with medicinal potentials.