Headspace GC/MS and LC/MS analysis of bioactive compounds from Gossypium barbadense L. stem and assessment of their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities

ABSTRACT. In line with the global interest and demand in finding sustainable ways to the emerging antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, our study highlights the unique chemical composition of G. barbadense stem. Petroleum ether extracts were analyzed via headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) revealing 48 compounds, thirteen major and accounting for 56.29% of total peak areas. By using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) identify 16 major phenolic compounds from the methanolic extract. Both petroleum ether and methanolic extracts were tested for antibacterial activity against four pathogenic bacterial strains (Escherichia coli ATCC10536, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538, Salmonella enterica ATCC 14028, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027) by using disk diffusion method. The antifungal activity against two fungal strains (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus) was evaluated. The results were compared to the activity of ciprofloxacin as a stander. The in-vitro cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract showed a potent effect against liver (HEPG2) with IC50 values (18.8±7.4 μg/mL) and moderate activity against colon (HCT116) and breast (MCF7) cancer.   KEY WORDS: Gossypium Barbadense L. Stem, Headspace/GC/MS, LC-ESI-MS, Bioactive compounds, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic activities   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(4), 1021-1032.                                                            DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i4.17