Phytochemical Quantification and GC-MS Profiling of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.

Abstract

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (jackfruit) has a long history of ethnomedicinal use and contains diverse phytochemicals with potential pharmacological activities. However, the phytochemical composition of its leaves remains comparatively under-characterised. This study evaluated the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical composition and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profile of the methanolic leaf extract of A. heterophyllus. Fresh mature leaves were collected, authenticated, air-dried, pulverised, and extracted with 80% methanol. Qualitative phytochemical screening and spectrophotometric quantification were performed for alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolics, while GC-MS analysis was used to identify bioactive constituents with reference to spectral library databases. The extraction of 600 g of leaf powder yielded 3.52 g of dried methanolic extract, corresponding to an extraction yield of 0.59%. The extract tested positive for alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolics. Tannins were the most abundant phytochemical class (207.20 ± 4.19 mg/TAE/g), while alkaloids were the least abundant (26.25 ± 2.47 mg/g). Saponins, flavonoids, and phenolics recorded 59.75 ± 1.06 mg/g, 69.29 ± 3.09 mg/g, and 190.74 ± 2.55 mg/g, respectively. GC-MS analysis identified 27 compounds, with phytol (16.48%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester (13.93%), pentadecanoic acid methyl ester (11.24%), and acetic acid chlorohexadecyl ester (6.25%) among the most abundant constituents. These findings provide a phytochemical and chemical profile of A. heterophyllus leaves and support further investigation of their potential pharmacological applications.