GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROMETRY OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS AND ANTIOXIDANT RELATED CONSTITUENTS IN THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF SPHENOCENTRUM JOLLYANUM

The study focused on the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry of phenolic compounds and antioxidant related constituent in the aqueous extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum stem, a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional healthcare across Nigeria. The stem samples were sourced from Iwo Market in Osun State. The analysis was carried out using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) at LEEDEX Laboratory in Lagos to identify the major bioactive constituents responsible for antioxidant activity. A total of 33 compounds were detected in the aqueous extract. Among these, four major compounds were identified due to their relevance to phenolic and antioxidant properties. Peaks 2 and 4 were confirmed as phenolic compounds—Phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy- and Phenol, 3,4,5-trimethoxy—indicating the presence of significant phenolic content in the extract. Peaks 32 and 33 were identified as Squalene and di-α- Tocopherol, respectively. Although non-phenolic, both compounds are well-documented antioxidants that contribute to the overall antioxidant capacity of the extract. The presence of both phenolic and non-phenolic antioxidant compounds suggests that the aqueous extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum possesses strong antioxidant potential. These findings support the medicinal value of the plant and align with its traditional use for managing oxidative stressrelated conditions. The results highlight the importance of further research to explore additional therapeutic properties, optimize extraction methods, and understand the stability of its bioactive constituents.