Gas Chromatographic Study of Bio-active Compounds in MethanolicExtract of Leaf of Crateva Adansonii DC

This study investigates the volatile bioactive components in Crateva adansonii plant that has been applied in the treatment of diverse ailments in the Western part of Nigeria and in Africa. The methanolic leaf extract of Crateva adansonii was subjected to analysis using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric technique. The mass spectra of the compounds were analysed and identity of the compounds confirmed using the data base of the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) library. The compounds identified includesn-Hexadecanoic acid; 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z); 9-Octadecenoic acid; (Z,E)-2,13-Octadecadien-1-ol; 9,17-Octadecadienal; cis-9-Hexadecenal; cis-Vaccenic acid; Z,Z-10,12-Hexadecadienal; 13-Octadecenal; Hexadecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester; E-11-Hexadecenal. Most of the compounds identified have antibacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypocholesterolemic properties, which affirms the therapeutic applications of Crateva adansonii as a medicinal plant.