Abstract
Aims: To identify extractable components in the traditional medicinal plant, Bryophyllum pinnatum
(BP).
Methodology: The leaves of BP were sequentially extracted with non-polar (CH2Cl2) and polar
(CH3OH) solvents. The extracts were derivatized to their volatile fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)
and trimethylsilyl (TMS) esters/ethers and characterized by gas chromatography mass
spectrometry (GC-MS).
Results: GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of sterols, fatty acids, monoarylphenolics, sugars,
alcohols, sugar alcohols, sugar acids, carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, tricarboxylic acids,
vitamin, alkanes and alkenes.
Conclusion: Compounds identified (e.g. tocopherol) in the extracts are most likely responsible for
its antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, antitumour and insecticidal activities.
(BP).
Methodology: The leaves of BP were sequentially extracted with non-polar (CH2Cl2) and polar
(CH3OH) solvents. The extracts were derivatized to their volatile fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)
and trimethylsilyl (TMS) esters/ethers and characterized by gas chromatography mass
spectrometry (GC-MS).
Results: GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of sterols, fatty acids, monoarylphenolics, sugars,
alcohols, sugar alcohols, sugar acids, carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, tricarboxylic acids,
vitamin, alkanes and alkenes.
Conclusion: Compounds identified (e.g. tocopherol) in the extracts are most likely responsible for
its antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, antitumour and insecticidal activities.