Characterization of phytochemicals by GC-MS, in-vitro biological assays and micronutrient analysis by ICP-MS of Prunus domestica L. seeds

Abstract

In the present study, Prunus domestica L. (plum) seeds were used as the source of the oil components. To extract the oil, Soxhlet extraction was carried out using two different solvents petroleum ether and diethyl ether in increasing order of polarity for efficient extraction of secondary metabolites. GC-MS analysis of the obtained oil components was carried out and revealed the identification of 33 and 34 compounds in PE and DEE fractions respectively. 13-Docosenamide, (Z)- was the most abundant compound in PE fraction while the 2nd most abundant compound in DEE fraction. Hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester was the most abundant compound in DEE fraction. The oil components were further assessed for in-vitro biological assays namely antidiabetic assay, antioxidant assay and antibacterial assay. ICP-MS analysis for the quantification of 12 different metals (K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Ni, Cu, As, Pb, Se) was also carried out. K was the major element in all the tested elements. Lead, arsenic and selenium were present below the limit of quantification (BLQ). Therefore, the current study through the light on therapeutic aspects of the oil components of P. domestica seeds.