Optimisation of Extraction Method and Phytochemical Compounds of Green Christia vespertilionis Leaves using GC-MS

Christia vespertilionis (L. f.) Bakh. f. has been widely known in treating various contagious diseases. This plant is popular among researchers and locals to have anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. There are two types of C. vespertilionis which is green and red type. The green C. vespertilionis was extensively studied by many researchers and known by the public as a cure to the cancer. This study was carried out to identify major phytochemicals and optimise extraction method of green C. vespertilionis leaves in different extraction techniques (maceration and Soxhlet extraction) and solvents (methanol and ethanol) through GC-MS analysis. The green C. vespertilionis leaves extract was tested using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The components were identified by comparing National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Based on four samples which are green C. vespertilionis leaves using maceration of methanol (GMM), maceration of ethanol (GME), Soxhlet of methanol (GSM) and Soxhlet of ethanol (GSE), seventy phytochemical compounds were identified. Thirteen major phytochemical compounds (> 4 % of peak area) are acetic acid, butyl ester; 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-, acetate; 1,3-Diisobutyrin, trimethylsilyl; .alpha.-d-Mannofuranoside, methyl; 1- Tetradecene; 1-Hexadecene; 1-Octadecene; Hexanoic acid, 3-oxo-, ethyl ester; 4-O-Methylmannose; n-Hexadecanoic acid; Phytol; 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)- and Squalene. Only ten out of thirteen compounds were reported to have biological activities. Among those samples, GMM and GSM were the most effective using correlation coefficient analysis between peak area (%) versus real time (min) with significant difference at P < 0.001.