GC-MS Determination of Bioactive Constituents of Giant African Snail (Archachatina maginata) Haemolymph

Abstract

Giant African snail (Archachatina maginata) is of high medicinal value, it haemolymph has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of liver disorders, whooping cough, anaemia, constipation, restore vitality and stop bleeding. In tune with this effect, the objective set for the present study is to identify the bioactive constituents of A. marginata haemolymph in order to understand the nature of the principle component responsible for its medicinal property. The haemolymph was extracted from the snail (A. maginata) and subjected to Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis using a GC-MS (Model: QP2010 PLUS SHIMADZU, JAPAN) comprising a AOC-20i auto-sampler and gas-chromatograph interfaced to a mass spectrometer. GC-MS analysis provided of seven peaks. On comparison of the mass spectra of the constituents with the NIST library twenty six (26) constituents including 7 ester, 7 fatty acid, 5 alcohol, 6 alkane and 1 phthalate were characterized and identified. The presence of various bioactive compounds justifies it uses for various ailments by traditional practitioners. However isolation of individual constituents and subjecting it to biological activity will definitely give fruitful results and helpful to find anew drugs.