Comparative analysis of phenolic profile of Monodora myristica and Monodora tenuifolia

Abstract

This study sought to identify phenolics present in the seeds of Monodora myristica and Monodora tenuifolia by Gas chromatography (GC) coupled to Flame ionization detector (FID). GC-FID analysis identified fifty-three different types of phenolics in both M. myristica and M. tenuifolia seeds. Predominant phenolics are Myristicin (RT: 13.78), Caffeic acid (RT: 14.16), Safrole (RT: 11.37), Methyl Eugenol (RT: 12.32), Catechin (RT: 3.63), Elemicin (RT: 13.69), Quercetin (RT: 25.05), Kaempherol (RT: 21.52), Methyl Isoeugenol (RT: 12.69) and Eugenol (RT: 11.70). It was observed that M. myristica is rich in Myristicin (42.60%), Caffeic acid (23.39%), Elemicin (3.82%) and Eugenol (1.02%), while M. tenuifolia is rich in Safrole (11.86%), Methyl Eugenol (6.28%), Catechin (5.27%), Quercetin (2.97%), Kaempherol (2.27%) and Methyl Isoeugenol (1.45%). However, the two species of Monodora contained virtually the same kinds of phenolics but in varying quantities with M. myristica having a higher total phenolic content (1478.32 mg/100 g) than M. tenuifolia (1171.52 mg/100 g). Both species are promising sources of phenolics. Key words: Monodora myristica, Monodora tenuifolia, phenolics.