Comparative GCMS-based profiling of phytochemical constituents from Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach and Toona ciliata

Abstract

For countless generations, Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach and Toona ciliata have been widely recognised for their ethnobotanical properties, which have been utilised in the traditional medicinal purposes. The extracts derived from the fruit, bark, and leaves of these species exhibit a heterogeneous mixture including diverse chemical constituents. In order to ascertain the phytochemical profile of the volatile bioactive constituents in various plant parts, it is often necessary to employ quick extract screening procedures prior to the analytical determination. In general, plants possess genetic regulation mechanisms that govern their metabolic profiles. However, the quantification of these profiles can exhibit variability depending upon the prevailing environmental conditions. The chosen three tree species were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry examination in order to assess the degree of variability in their Volatile organic compounds. The leaves of A. indica were found to possess a total of eight bioactive compounds, whereas the bark and fruits of the plant had six and fifteen bioactive compounds, respectively. A total of eight bioactive chemicals were identified in the leaves of M. azedarach, while seven were found in the bark and 10 were detected in the fruits. A total of ten bioactive chemicals were detected in the leaves, eight in the fruits, and fourteen in the bark of T. ciliata. Hence, the presence of diverse chemical composition which make these tree species as pharmaceutically relevant and form putative basis for further scientific work.