Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

GC–MS Analysis of Aqueous Extract of Unripe Fruit of Carica papaya

Sunday Ahamefula Ezekwe and Paul Chidoka Chikezie

The present study was aimed to identify the likely phytocomponents present in Aqueous Extract of Unripe Fruit (AqEUF) of Carica papaya. The phytocomponents present in AqEUF of C. papaya was identified using GC–MS detection system. The results showed the presence of fifteen phytocomponents in AqEUF of C. papaya. The major phytocomponents present in AqEUF of C. papaya in terms of their relative abundance were octadecanoic acid, hexadecenoic acid, Z-11 and hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, which corresponded to 23.84%, 19.17% and 18.25% respectively. The relative abundance of minor phytocomponents present in AqEUF of C. papaya was within a narrow range of 0.78-5.38%. The present investigation revealed that AqEUF of C. papaya was composed of variety of metabolites and therapeutic active substances as well as novel substances. These substances could be isolated and further empirically evaluated to confirm their biologic and medicinal activities as well as investigate their mechanism of action.