Phytochemical Profiling and GC-MS Analysis of Extracts of Two Tropical Moss Species

Abstract

The crude extracts obtained from two tropical moss species namely: Philonotis hastata (Duby) Wijk & Margad and Barbula lambaranensis C. Mull were analysed with a view to identifying the bioactive compounds present in them. The mosses were collected from their natural population and air dried at ambient temperature in the laboratory for fourteen days. The aqueous extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis using standard methods while the n- hexane extracts were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results of the phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids (0.189mg/g), saponins (0.047mg/g) and flavonoids (22.35QE/g) in P. hastata while the alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids content in B. lambaranensis were 0.184mg/g, 0.037mg/g and 14.18QE/g respectively. Steroids and reducing sugars were also present in the two moss species. The results of the GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 23 compounds in P. Hastate with 9-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- methyl ester, cis-Vaccenic acid, Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester and 1- Phenanthrenecarboxylic acid, tetradecahydro-7-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethlidene)-1,4a,8-trimethyl-9-oxo-, methyl ester forming the major components while in B. lambaranensis, 31 compounds were present from which Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid methyl ester, 13-Tetradecenal, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)- methyl ester and Hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester formed the prominent components. Five compounds: Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, n-Hexadecanoic acid, cis-Vaccenic acid, Octadecanoic acid and 9-Octadecanoic acid methyl ester were commonly identified in the two moss species. The identified compounds are considered to be biologically and pharmacologically important. Further investigation on the identified bioactive compounds from the studied moss species will be beneficial to formulate novel drugs for the treatment and management ...