GC-MS analysis of constituents of the essential oil from the leaf and fruit of Nigerian cultivar of Annona muricata

Annona muricata (soursop) has a long history of ethnomedicinal properties, which is associated with essential oils present in the plant. The bioactive compounds in the oils from the leaf and fruit of Nigerian variations of the plant are thus provided in this study. GC-MS was used to analyse and identify the chemical compounds present in the essential oil from A. muricata leaf and fruit. The major chemical compounds in the leaves were caryophyllene (26.04%), (1S-cis)-(δ-cadinene) (12.62%) and spathulenol (8.49 %). Others that were obtained in less quantities included α-cadinene (5.64%), tau-cadinol (3.84%), α-caryophyllene (3.49%) and phytol (2.83%). In the fruit oil, the compounds identified were n-hexadecanoic acid (24.82%), E-nerolidol (15.30%) andcaryophylene (32.30%). The presence of the compounds in the essential oil may provide scientific basis for the uses of the plant in the management of cancer and other parasitic infections.