Identification of compounds and functional groups of n-hexane seed extracts of Citrullus lanatus and Elaeis guineensis using GC-MS and FT-IR

Citrullus lanatus and Elaeis guineensis are regarded as two of the most significant edible fruits in terms of nutrition and medicine. Utilizing FTIR and GC-MS spectroscopy, the current work aims at identifying bioactive compounds and functional groups present in n-hexane seed extracts of Citrullus lanatus and Elaeis guineensis.  The GC-MS approach is used to screen and identify phytocompounds. Using a Buck Scientific M530 USA spectrophotometer, the FTIR technique was used to identify the functional groups. Twenty-five (25) and twenty-nine (29) bioactive compounds were identified in Citrullus lanatus and Elaeis guineensis respectively, by Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Linoelaidic acid (58.79%) was the most prevalent compound identified in Citrullus lanatus seed extract. Gamma-tocopherol has the most diverse pharmacological role. n-hexadecanoic acid (16.82%), dodecanoic acid (0.12%), 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (3.45%) and 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z) (0.91%) are some of the other bioactive compounds detected. The most prevalent phytocompound identified in Elaeis guineensis seed extract is dodecanoic acid (37.20%), whereas the most diverse pharmacological activity was found in n-hexadecanoic acid. N-decanoic acid (6.32%), 6-octadecenoic acid (11.95%), octanoic acid (5.27%) and tetradecanoic acid (17.59%) are some other bioactive compounds identified. Ether, ethene, primary amine, carboxylic acid, cyclic ester, nitrile, methylene, primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols were detected at various wavelengths in both seed extracts by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer. Both extracts contain phytocompounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that are useful in preventing and treating diseases.