Deborah Eghonghon BRAIMOH

This study investigated the bioactive phytochemical constituents of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) seed extracts and the hydroethanolic precipitate using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to validate their traditional medicinal uses and explore their therapeutic potential. Myristica fragrans, an aromatic evergreen tree, widely cultivated in Nigeria mainly in the southern and rainforest regions, is valued for its culinary and medicinal properties. The study aimed to identify, characterize and compare the phytochemical composition of hydroethanolic extracts from the seed, and the hydroethanolic precipitate of the seed extract, and to evaluate their possible applications in medicine, food preservation, and nutraceutical development. GC MSanalysis revealed 62 compounds in the seed extract and 55 in the hydroethanolic precipitate. The seed extract and the hydroethanolic precipitate contained tetradecanoic acid (myristic acid) in abundance, 1,2,3 trimethoxy-5-2-propenyl, palmitic acid, cis-vaccenic acid, and 1,3 benzodioxole derivatives, known for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, and analgesic properties. These findings confirm the therapeutic potential of Myristica fragrans, demonstrating that both the seed extracts and hydroethanolic precipitate are valuable sources of bioactive compounds.