Volatile Organic Constituents of Two Fractions of Leaves of Ficus vogelii

The leaf of Ficus vogelii is commonly used as a green-leafy vegetable in Northern Cross River State of Nigeria. Its ethanol extract is used by adults for well-being, while its aqueous extract is used for weaning children and for treatment of pediatric anemia. In this study, the methanol and n-hexane fractions of the leaves were analyzed for volatile organic composition using GC-MS in order to determine the class of constituents that may be responsible for the amelioration of anemia and sustenance of well-being in adults. GC-MS analysis of n-hexane and methanol fractions revealed the presence of several organic constituents including twenty-one (21) volatile compounds in nhexane fraction and thirty-five (35) compounds in methanol fraction. The dominant compounds in the n-hexane fraction included, Hexadecanoic acid (3.14%), n-Nonadecanoic acid (17.81%), Phytol (38.45%), Oleic acid (21.20%) and E-2-Octadecadecen-1-ol (4.77%); while the dominant compounds in methanol fraction included, Glycerin (8.44%), Dimethyl sulphoxide (7.44%), 2(R), 3(S)-1,2,3,4-Butane tetrol (6.47%), 17α-OH-17 β-Cyano-Preg-4-en-3one (3.10%), Ethyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (7.25%), Bicyclo [3.1.0] hexan-3-ol (10.11%); n-Hexadecanoic acid (15.42%) and Oleic Acid (21.40%). It was concluded that the presence of Palmitaldehyde diisopentyl acetate (2.52%) in the n-hexane fraction may contribute significantly to the pleasant flavor of the extract fraction and its nutritional acceptability. It was also concluded that the high content of oleic acid and phytol in the plant may be responsible for the cardiovascular benefits the plant confers on the populations consuming it, as both compounds are known to lower blood cholesterol lipids in adult humans.