Chemical composition of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken

Natural chemicals with medicinal qualities are an endless source of chemical molecules, making them a valuable source of pharmacologically active molecules. Humans have always looked for these plants, not only for food but also for medicinal purposes. Bryophyllum pinnatum is a succulent perennial herb native to Africa and Asia. The plants is traditionally used in northern Nigeria for the treatment and management of various ailments. To date, no studies have been carried out on the chemical composition of B. pinnatum in Northern, Nigeria. The study examine the chemical composition of B. pinnatum leaves in Northern, Nigeria. Hydrodistillation was used to extract the essential oil using three different solvents (dichloromethane, hexane and hexane-acetone). The chemical composition of the essential was identified with Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Thirty five compounds were identified from the essential oil extracted with dichloromethane, twenty five compounds from the essential oil extracted with hexane and twenty three compounds from essential oil extracted hexane-acetone. But the three solvents were found to be dominant by Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The study provides the first chemical composition of B. Pinnatum which can be fully utilised industry and pharmaceutical companies. Further studies is needed to ascertain the pharmacological and industrial usage of each identified compound.