Abstract
The aim of this study was to comparatively determine the phytochemical constituents of various extracts of ripe and unripe Solanum aethiopicum exocarp in order to ascertain its therapeutic importance. Analysis of the phytochemical constituents in the Ethyl acetate, Hexane and Methanol extracts were investigated using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The results of the analysis revealed the presence of twenty five, twenty three and twenty one compounds in the Ethyl acetate, Hexane and Methanol extracts respectively. Also, the ethyl acetate extract of the unripe exocarp contained eighteen compounds while both Hexane and methanol extracts of the same contained twenty compounds each. This showed that extracts of the ripe exocarp contained more phytochemicals than the unripe exocarp. Some of these compounds include 3,5-Dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-one, 4,5- Dihydro-2-methyllimidazole-4-one, Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, Methyl 2-oxooctadecanoate, Squalene, nOctacosane, 1- Hexadecene, Hexadecane, 15-Heptadecanal, Furaldehyde-5-(hydroxymethyl), 10-Methylicosane and 1-Heptacosanol with reported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiarrheal, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-sckling, antibiotic flavoring and mosquitocidal activities. Due to the presence of these biologically active compounds in its exocarp, Solanum aethiopicum could be recommended as a healthy food for all population especially people with sickle cell anemia. Therefore, the results of this study underscore the pharmacological importance of Solanum aethiopicum as a potential therapeutic food and an important source of useful bioactive principles.
