Zakari Osheku - Department of Public Health, Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, Nigeria.; Department of Microbiology, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Innocent Ogbonna - Department of Microbiology, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Celestine Aguoru - Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Background and objective: Numerous studies have documented the existence of antimicrobial compounds within different plant components, including leaves, bark, fruit, root, and flowers. Moringa species have been extensively studied and documented as plant herbs, primarily due to their exceptional nutritional and medicinal characteristics. This study aimed to carry out phytocompound screening of Moringa oleifera extract using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy technique. Materials and methods: For extraction, ۱۰۰ ml of ethanol per gram of plant leaf powder was used. The ethanolic extract was subjected to vacuum drying at ۴۰ °C. Then, ۱۰ mg of dry extract was solubilized in ۱ ml of ethanol. The phytochemicals extracted from Moringa oleifera leaves were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer.Results and conclusion: Eleven compounds were detected through the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the leaf extract of M. oleifera. Among these compounds, the most prevalent were methyl (۱۱E)-۱۱-octadecanoate, accounting for ۳۰.۱۵% of the identified compounds, and cis octadecanoic acid, which constituted ۱۹.۱۶% of the total compounds. This study has demonstrated that the leaf extract of M. oleifera possesses phytochemical compounds that have the potential to serve as substitutes for antibiotics, antihelminthics, and antivirals against various infectious agents. Additionally, they can function as nutritional supplements for non-infectious diseases. Moreover, they exhibit antioxidant properties and can be utilized as flavor enhancers.

Medicinal properties, bioactive compounds, Rigasa, Nigeria