GC-MS Analysis of Methanol Extract of Strychnos Innocua (Delile) Root Bark

The use of plant products as medicines could be traced as far back as the beginning of human civilization. The medicinal plant “Strychnos innocua (a Loganiaceae plant)” is a deciduous shrub growing 2-12 m tall. This study aimed at using GC-MS to determine the chemical composition and antifungal activity of a root bark methanol extract against Candida krusei. The plant sample was collected and identified at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The maceration extraction method was used to obtain the methanol root bark extract. The chromatogram from the GC-MS analysis revealed sixty-four (64) peaks corresponding to fifty-five phytoconstituents from various organic groups. Among the significant compounds discovered are 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (5.48%), Benzofuran, 6-ethenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3,6-dimethyl-5-isopropenyl-, trans- (6.72%), Tetradecanoic acid, 12-methyl-, methyl ester (6.87%), Ethyl Oleate (8.29%), 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, butyl 8-methylnonyl ester (9.10%), Linoleic acid ethyl ester (10.31%) with 6-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester and peak area of 11.42% being considered the highest peak area. In contrast, Bicyclo[13.1.0]hexadecan-2-one with a peak of 0.03% is considered the lowest peak area. It can be concluded that the phytocompounds discovered in the root bark methanol extract of Strychnos innocua could be valuable in treating some human ailments.