Qualitative assessment of potential bioactive compounds in African oil bean seeds (Pentaclethra mycrophylla Benth.).

Abstract

Introduction: African oil bean tree is a large wild woody plant that belongs to the family Leguminous and sub-family Mimosoidae. It produces seeds that are dorsa-ventrally flat, hard, brown in colour and about 6 cm wide. The seeds are cited among the lesser known and under exploited legumes. The oil bean seeds contain 4 - 17% carbohydrate, 36.2 - 43.89% protein, 44 -47 % oil which i s rich in oleic acid and linoleic acid. The raw beans are bitter in taste and contain substantial antinutritional factors such as pancine, cyanide, oxalate, saponins, phytic acid, phytate, tannin and toxic alkaloid. Despite the limited traditional applications of the seeds i n Nigeria, the seed has been reported t o contain a large reservoir of phytochemical; therefore, the need to profile its bioactive potentials. Objective: This study assessed the bioactive potentials of African oil bean seeds. Methodology: African oil bean seed mesocarp was ground into a flour of 0.05 mm size. The flour was soaked i n 60% (v/v) acetone a t solvent-to-solid ratio o f 10:1 and continuously agitated for 3 0 min. at room temperature (27 ‡ 2°C). After extraction, a rotary vacuum extractor (Eyela, A-1000S, Japan) at 40°C was used t o remove the solvent. The crude extract was separated and subjected to Gas- Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for sample characterization. Result: The results of the study revealed that African oil bean seeds contain bioactive compounds such as amitriptyline and venlafaxine which are antidepressants; mexiletine, a bioactive implicated in restoring regular heartbeat (antiarrhythmia); N-methyl-1-14-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl/ propan-2- amine and thiodiglycol which are enzyme inhibitors. Antitumor compounds such as 4-butoxy phenol and N'-Benzyl-N,N-dimethyl ethylene diamine as well as 3-Methoxy-4-methyl-(2- aminobutyl benzene which i s a bio stimulant were identified. Conclusion: This study revealed that African oil bean sed is a god source of bioactive compounds, hence, its consumption would ofer measurable physiological benefits.