Volume 11 Issue 1

Antioxidant Potential and GC-MS Characterization 0f the Seed Oil Extract of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa)

Shoge

Abstract

Sphenostylis stenocarpa (African yam bean), a tropical underutilised legume, has gained research interest due to its nutritional and potential health benefits. Six different accessions of S. stenocarpa were examined in this study using aqueous and 70% acetone extraction methods to assess their performance as natural antioxidants. Seeds were sourced from IITA's Genetic Resources Center and cultivated at the Ahmadu Bello University Institute for Agricultural Research farm facility in Zaria. They were air-dried, ground into fine powder and subjected to Soxhlet solvent extraction. Antioxidant assays, including hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA), were performed according to standard protocols. Results showed that at a concentration of 500 µg, the S. stenocarpa extract exhibited antioxidant activity of 33.3%, at 250 µg and 500 µg at 41.6%. Bioactive compounds were identified in the samples through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The presence of aldehydes, carboxylic acids, esters and aromatic rings were confirmed in the functional group analysis. GC-MS analysis revealed multiple chemical compounds possessing antioxidant activity. The analysis identified 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z) as the most abundant, at 42.12%, followed by n-hexadecanoic acid at 30.56% and octadecanoic acid at 4.34%. These results suggested that S. stenocarpa possesses significant antioxidant activity and could serve as a natural protective agent. Additional investigation of its bioactive components and their potential applications within food production and drug discovery is needed to maximize its potential benefits, support food security and health initiatives.

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