GC–MS analysis and antimicrobial activity of various solvent extracts from Simarouba glauca leaves

Abstract

Phytochemical profile of leaf extracts of Simarouba glauca in different solvents were analyzed using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry method. The dried leaves were powdered and soaked in different solvents in increasing polarity namely Chloroform, Ethyl acetate and Methanol. The extracts were then subjected to GC-MS analysis which was carried out using Clarus 680 Gas chromatography. The spectrum of unknown compounds was compared to that of known using National Institutes of Standards and Technology database. The analysis revealed the existence of different high and low molecular weight chemical entities present in each of the extracts. The compounds were considered to be pharmacologically and biologically significant. The extracts when tested against the growth of selected bacteria and fungi exhibited good antimicrobial activity. From this preliminary study it is understandable that the plant contains many bioactive compounds and thus suggested as a phyto pharmaceutically important plant.