PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF TICKBERRY (OSTEOSPEMUM MONILIFERUM L.) LEAF AND STEM EXTRACTS

Tickberry (Osteospemum moniliferum) is renowned for its ethnomedicinal uses. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of the leaves and stems of O. moniliferum. The phytochemical constituents were identified by phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) techniques in hexane, and chloroform extracts. Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis were employed to identify the powdered samples' functional groups and elemental composition. The fluorescence of leaves and stem powders was examined using various chemical solvents. Phytochemical analysis of leaves and stems showed positive results for various phytochemical compounds. GC-MS revealed the presence of forty-seven compounds in leaf and stem extracts. FTIR analysis revealed different peak values with various functional groups in powdered samples, confirming the presence of alcohol, carboxylic acid, alkanes, amides, and alkyl halides. EDX microanalysis revealed the presence of carbon (65.07%), oxygen, chlorine, sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and copper. Aluminium and silicon were only found in leaf samples. This study stands as the first report on the phytochemical constituents of this species. The identified phytochemicals indicate the potential therapeutic applications of O. moniliferum for a variety of ailments. These findings could pave the way leading to the establishment of potential drugs.