Analysis of organic chemical compounds in Moringa oleifera L. using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method

Abstract

Using a unique approach, a study was adopted to identify the organic chemical content in Moringa oleifera leaves by utilizing GC-MS. The Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory of Gadjah Mada University (LPPT-UGM) conducted the research in Yogyakarta from April to June 2024, using leaf extracts of M. oleifera L. varieties from the Mapanget Barat district area of Manado City, North Sulawesi Province. The chromatogram data underwent quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify and enumerate the organic molecules that comprise secondary metabolites. The analysis of the GC-MS results revealed the existence of several secondary metabolite compounds in the Moringa oleifera leaf extracts, including Decanoic acid, ethyl ester; Dodecanoic acid, ethyl ester; Neophytadiene (3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol); Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester; trans-13-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid) methyl ester; Hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester; trans-13-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester; Methyl stearate; Phytol; Ethyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate; Eicosanoic acid, methyl ester; and Diisooctyl phthalate. These compounds are classified as terpenoids and fatty acids and have the potential for use as biopesticides, providing a sustainable solution for pest control in agriculture. The most abundant compound identified was phytol, a terpenoid, with a retention area of 14.78%. The findings suggest that M. oleifera leaves contain different secondary compounds that might be used as agricultural biopesticides.