Now accepting submissions for the upcoming volume
Submit your manuscript
Login · Register
International Journal of Plant Based Pharmaceuticals
e‑ISSN 2791-7509 Open Access · CC BY 4.0
Vol. 3 · Issue 1 · 2023 Oct 2, 2022 Research Articles

Variation in chemical composition, insecticidal and antioxidant activities of essential oils from the leaves, stem barks, and roots of Blighia unijugata (Baker) and B. sapida (K. D. Koenig)

GO
Ganiyat K. Oloyede Corresponding University of Ibadan, Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Unit, Ibadan, Nigeria oloyedegk@gmail.com Nigeria
PO
Patricia A. Onocha University of Ibadan, Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Unit, Ibadan, Nigeria Nigeria
TI
ThankGod R. Ikiroma University of Ibadan, Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Unit, Ibadan, Nigeria Nigeria
OO
Olusegun W. Olusola University of Ibadan, Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Unit, Ibadan, Nigeria Nigeria
Pages10-17 PublishedOct 2, 2022 LicenseOpen Access
Full Text
IJPBP 1 VOL 3 · 1
VOL 3 · NO 1 · 2023 View issue

Abstract

Blighia unijugata (Baker) and B. sapida (K.D. Koenig) (Sapindaceae) are forest trees widespread in Tropical Africa. They are used in folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, cardiovascular diseases, yellow fever, dysentery, and epilepsy. The essential oils of the air-dried leaves, stem bark, and roots of the plants were extracted using the hydrodistillation method and were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method using α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid as standards. The insecticidal activity of the oils was investigated by determining the percentage mortality of the grain insects ( Sitophilus zeamaise ). Results showed that the yield of the colorless oils (% w/w) from the leaves, stem bark, and roots of the plants were 0.91%, 0.42%, and 0.34% for B. unijugata and 0.67%, 0.32%, and 0.48% for B. sapida , respectively. The most abundant compounds in B. unijugata leaves were pentadecanoic acid (14-methyl-, methyl ester) (38.34%), carbonic acid, propyl-en-2-yl undecylpropyl ester (36.79%), and 9-octadecanoic acid (Z) -methyl ester (24.86%). The stem bark was rich in 1,3-dimethoxybenzene (79.01%) while the root contained limonene (20.51%), trans -13-octadecanoic acid (16.74 %), and cis -vaccenic acid (9.50%). The leaf essential oil of B. sapida had hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (21.43%), phytol (20.45%), geosmin (16.258%), and α-ionone (8.271%) as the major constituents. The stem bark had cholesterol (38.66%) as the major constituent while the root contained nonanal (18.09%) and 4-cyclopropyl carbonyl tetradecane (11.6%). The antioxidant analysis revealed that B. unijugata root had 83.96% inhibition at 100 mg/ml, while B. sapida stem had 79.73% inhibition, better than α-tocopherol. No significant insecticidal activity was observed in the essential oils of the plants against S. zeamaise except for B. sapida stem which showed 50% toxicity to the maize weevils. However, the two plants can be the source of antioxidant agents against oxidative stress and related diseases.

Keywords

#Blighia unijugata #Blighia sapida #Sitophillus zeamaise #Essential oil #Antioxidant #Insecticidal

References

  1. Abdelouaheb, D., & Amadou, D. (2012). The Therapeutic Benefits of Essential Oils, Nutrition, Well-Being and Health, Dr. Jaouad Bouayed (Ed.), pp. 160. ISBN: 978-953-51-0125-3.
  2. Adams, R. P. (2007). Identification of essential oil components by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Vol. 456, pp. 544-545). Carol Stream: Allured Publishing Corporation.
  3. Adewuyi, A., Oderinde, R. A., & Omotosho, M. A. (2009). Comparative Study of the Antibacterial and Cyctotoxicity of the Essential Oils from the Leaves, Stem Bark and Roots of Blighia unijugata Baker (Sapinadaceae). Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology, 3(SI1), 97- 99.
  4. Ajiboye, C. O. , Moronkola, D. O., Adesomoju, A. A. (2017a). Hydrogen Peroxide Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Leaf, Stem Bark,Root, Flower and Fruit of Blighia unijugata Baker (Sapindaceae) Extracts. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 9(8):8-12.
  5. Ajiboye, C. O., Moronkola, D. O., & Adesomoju, A. A. (2017b). DPPH free radical scavenging activities of leaf, stem bark, root, flower and fruit of Blighia unijugata Baker (Sapindaceae) extracts. Journal of Chemical, Biological and Physical Sciences, 7(4), 1190-1197.
  6. Akerele, O. (1991). Medicinal plants and primary health care: an agenda for action. Eastern Mediterranean Region Drugs Digest, 8(2), 11-25.
  7. Apel, K., & Hirt, H. (2004). Reactive oxygen species: metabolism, oxidative stress, and signaling transduction. Annual Review of Plant Biology, 55, 373-399.
  8. Aquaisua, A. N., Bassey, R. B., Ikpeme, B. M., & Bassey, E. I. (2011). Effect of crude extracts of Blighia unijugata on histology of the liver and kidney of adult Wistar rats. International Research Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 1, 17-22.
  9. Ayoola, G. A., Coker, H. A., Adesegun, S. A., Adepoju-Bello, A. A., Obaweya, K., Ezennia, E. C., & Atangbayila, T. O. (2008). Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activities of some selected medicinal plants used for malaria therapy in Southwestern Nigeria. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 7(3), 1019-1024.
  10. Bakkali, F., Averbeck, S., Averbeck, D., & Idaomar, M. (2008). Biological effects of essential oils–a review. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46(2), 446-475.
  11. Baser, K. H. C., & Buchbauer, G. (2015). Handbook of essential oils: science, technology, and applications. Handbook of essential oils: science, technology, and applications., (Ed. 2), FL. Taylor and Francis Group.
  12. Bekele-Tesemma, A., & Tengnäs, B. (2007). Useful trees and shrubs of Ethiopia: identification, propagation, and management for 17 agroclimatic zones (p. 552). Nirobi: RELMA in ICRAF Project, World Agroforestry Centre, Eastern Africa Region.
  13. Bléyéré, N. M., N’dia, K. F., Kouakou, K. L., Abo, K. J., & Ehilé, E. E. (2013). Acute toxicity in mice and effects of a butanol extract from the leaves of Blighia unijugata bak.(Sapindaceae) on electrocardiogram of rabbits. Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy, 2(6), 429-435.
  14. Bowles, E. J. (2003). The chemistry of aromatherapeutic oils (ed.). Crowns Nest NSW, Australia: Allen & Unwin.
  15. Burkill, H. M. (2000). Useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd ed. Vol. 5, Families S-Z, United Kingdom, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, 686.
  16. Burt, S. (2004). Essential oils: their antibacterial properties and potential applications in foods—a review. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 94(3), 223-253.
  17. Cronin, D. A., & Caplan, P. J. (1987). Application of GC/MS to identification of flavour compounds in foods. Applications of mass spectrometry in food science/edited by John Gilbert, Elsevier Applied Science,
  18. Dorcas, O. M., Usman, Z. F., Oludoyin, A. A., & Clement, O. A. (2017). Essential oil compositions of leaf, stem-bark, stem, root, flower, and fruit with seed of Blighia unijugata Baker (Sapindaceae). African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 11(7), 108-119.
  19. Dossou, V. M., Agbenorhevi, J. K., Combey, S., & Afi-Koryoe, S. (2014). Ackee (Blighia sapida) fruit arils: Nutritional, phytochemicals and antioxidant properties. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 3(6), 534-537.
  20. Edris, A. E. (2007). Pharmaceutical and therapeutic potentials of essential oils and their individual volatile constituents: a review. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 21(4), 308-323.
  21. Ekué, M. R., Sinsin, B., Eyog-Matig, O., & Finkeldey, R. (2010). Uses, traditional management, perception of variation and preferences in ackee (Blighia sapida KD Koenig) fruit traits in Benin: implications for domestication and conservation. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 6(1), 1-14.
  22. Elizabeth, N., Amusa, S. A., & Nilza, J. S. (2012). Physico-chemical properties of Blighia sapida (ackee) oil extract and its potential application as emulsion base. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 6(3), 200-210.
  23. European Pharmacopoeia (1996). Saint Ruffine: Conseil de 1’ Europe Maisonneure S.A. NCCLS. 1999. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, 6th edition. Approved Standards, M2-A6, Wayne, Pennsylvania.
  24. Fang, Y. Z., Yang, S., & Wu, G. (2002). Free radicals, antioxidants, and nutrition. Nutrition, 18(10), 872-879.
  25. Farnsworth, N. R., & Soejarto, D. D. (1991). Global importance of medicinal plants. The Conservation of Medicinal Plants, 26, 25-51.
  26. Gbolade, A. A. (2009). Inventory of antidiabetic plants in selected districts of Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 121(1), 135-139.
  27. Hamzah, R. U., Egwim, E. C., Kabiru, A. Y., & Muazu, M. B. (2013). . Phytochemical And Invitro Antioxidant Properties Of The Methanolic Extract Of Fruits Of Blighia sapida, Vitellaria paradoxa And Vitex doniana. Oxidant and Antioxidant in Medical Science, 2(3), 217-223.
  28. Ho, S. H., Koh, L., Ma, Y., Huang, Y., & Sim, K. Y. (1996). The oil of garlic, Allium sativum L.(Amaryllidaceae), as a potential grain protectant against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 9(1), 41-48.
  29. Howélé, O., Bobelé, N., Théodor, D., & Seraphi, K. C. (2010). Nutritional composition studies of sun dried Blighia sapida (K. Koenig) aril from Côte d’Ivoire. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 32, 1989-1994.
  30. Huang, Y., Hee, S. K., & Ho, S. H. (1998). Antifeedant and growth inhibitory effects of α-pinene on the stored-product insects, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. International Pest Control, 40(1), 18-20.
  31. Hyde, M. A., Wursten, B., Ballings, P., & Coates Palgrave, M. (2002). Flora of zimbabwe: species information: Blighia unijugata. CITIS Harare: pp. 317-318.
  32. Isman, M. B. (2000). Plant essential oils for pest and disease management. Crop Protection, 19(8-10), 603-608.
  33. Karpouhtsis, I., Pardali, E., Feggou, E., Kokkini, S., Scouras, Z. G., & Mavragani-Tsipidou, P. (1998). Insecticidal and genotoxic activities of oregano essential oils. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 46(3), 1111-1115.
  34. Katende, A. B., Birnie, A., & Tengnas, B. O. (1995). Useful trees and shrubs for Uganda. Identification, propagation and management for agricultural and pastoral communities. Regional soil conservation unit (RSCU), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA), 1-710.
  35. Kazeem, M. I., Raimi, O. G., Balogun, R. M., & Ogundajo, A. L. (2013). Comparative study on the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of different extracts of Blighia sapida Koenig. American Journal of Research Communication, 1(7), 178-192.
  36. Koul, O., Walia, S., & Dhaliwal, G. S. (2008). Essential oils as green pesticides: potential and constraints. Biopesticides International, 4(1), 63-84.
  37. Las Heras, B., Rodriguez, B., Bosca, L., & Villar, A. M. (2003). Terpenoids: sources, structure elucidation and therapeutic potential in inflammation. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 3(2), 171-185.
  38. Lawless, J. (2013). The Encyclopedia of essential oils: the complete guide to the use of aromatic oils in aromatherapy, herbalism, health, and well being. Conari Press.
  39. Lee, B. H., Choi, W. S., Lee, S. E., & Park, B. S. (2001). Fumigant toxicity of essential oils and their constituent compounds towards the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.). Crop Protection, 20(4), 317-320.
  40. Moya, J. (2001). Ackee (Blighia sapida) poisoning in the Northern Province, Haiti, 2001. Epidemiological Bulletin, 22(2), 8-9.
  41. Obeng-Ofori, D., & Reichmuth, C. H. (1999). Plant oils as potentiation agents of monoterpenes for protection of stored grains against damage by stored product beetle pests. International Journal of Pest Management, 45(2), 155-159.
  42. Oderinde, R. A., Ajayi, I. A., & Adewuyi, A. (2008). Nutritional elements, antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of the leaf, root and stem bark of Blighia unijugata Baker (Sapindaceae). Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotecthnology, 2, 137-140.
  43. Oloyede, G. (2019b). Enzyme inhibition, free radical scavenging and insecticidal activities of crude extracts and isolates from Laportea aestuans (Gaud). In Abstracts of Papers of The American Chemical Society (Vol. 257). 1155 16th St, Nw, Washington, DC 20036 USA, American Chemical Society.
  44. Oloyede, G. K., & Egbewole, I. S. (2014). Chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Combretum hispidum leaves. AU J Tech, 18 (2), 69-74.
  45. Oloyede, G. K., Ibok, M. G., & Ojo, T. K. (2021). Chemical constituents, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Leptoderris brachyptera (Benth.) Dunn and Leptoderris micrantha Dunn essential oils. Trends in Phytochemical Research, 5(1), 13-23.
  46. Oloyede, G., Alli, M., & Lateef, M. (2019a). Enzyme inhibition, antioxidant, and insecticidal activities of flavonoids and fixed oil from Albizia zygia (JF Macbr). In Abstracts of Papers of The American Chemical Society (Vol. 258). 1155 16th St, Nw, Washington, DC 20036 USA, American Chemical Society.
  47. Onanuga, A. O., & Oloyede, G. K. (2021). Two new biologically active steroids from Costus lucanusianus (Costaceae). Steroids, 175, 108913.
  48. Onocha, P. A., Oloyede, G. K., Abegunde, L. M., & Oluwafemi, A. K. (2016). Antioxidant, Toxicity and Phytochemical Screening of Extracts Obtained from Mariscus alterifolious Vahl Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 6(5), 1-7.
  49. Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R., Jamnadass, R., & Simons, A. (2009). Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide. Version 4. Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide. Retrieved at http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/treedbs/treedatabases.asp.
  50. Osuala, F. N., Odoh, U. E., Onuigbo, V., & Ohadoma, S. C. (2020). Pharmacognostic Screening and Anti-inflammatory Investigation of the Methanol extract of stem bark of Blighia unijugata Baker (Sapindaceae). Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 10(4), 146-152.
  51. Oyeleke, G. O., Oyetade, O. A., Afolabi, F., & Adegoke, B. M. (2013). Nutrients, antinutrients and physicochemical compositions of Blighia sapida pulp and pulp oil (ackee apple). IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry, 4(1), 5-8.
  52. Sell, C. (2010). Chemsitry of Essential Oils in The Handbook of Essential Oils, Science, Technology and Appplication, CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4200-6315.
  53. Tapsell, L. C., Hemphill, I., Cobiac, L., Sullivan, D. R., Fenech, M., Patch, C. S., & Inge, K. E. (2006). Health benefits of herbs and spices: the past, the present, the future. Medicinal Journal of Australia 185, S4-S24.
  54. Watson, L., & Dalwitz, M. J. (2007). Sapindaceae Juss. The Families of Flowering Plants: Descriptions, Illustrations, Identification, and Information Retrieval. Retrieved 21-06-2016.

License

CCBY 4.0
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

This work is openly licensed — share and adapt freely with attribution to the authors and the journal. View license terms ↗

Copyright (c) 2023 Ganiyat K. Oloyede, Patricia A. Onocha, ThankGod R. Ikiroma, Olusegun W. Olusola

§ 06 — Related

Similar articles in this journal

Related peer-reviewed studies published in this journal.
View all issues

Evaluation of cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of Echium italicum L. in MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines

Dilek Arslan Atessahin, Semih Dalkilic, Lütfiye Kadioglu Dalkilic, Dudu Bayindir, Elif Cetinkaya

The use of plants for medicinal purposes from past to present continues as traditional treatments. One of these plants, Echium species, is known for its high…

#Cytotoxic activity #Antimicrobial activity #Antioxidant activity #MCF-7 cell line
p. 25-32
10.62313/ijpbp.2025.259
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62313/ijpbp.2025.259

Biochemical and histological evaluation of kidney, liver, and hematological indices in normal Wistar rats administered dietary formulations of roasted Sphenotylis stenocarpa seeds (Af-rican yam bean)

Nene Hephzibah Chiaka-Onyemeze, Chinelo Chinenye Nkwocha, Affiong Asuquo Edeke, Emmanuel Chimeh Ezeako

Sphenotylis stenocarpa seeds (African yam bean) represent one of the under-exploited nutrient-rich legumes associated with African folklore and…

#Sphenostylis stenocarpa #Nephroprotective #Hepatoprotective #Antioxidant
p. 16-24
10.62313/ijpbp.2025.250
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62313/ijpbp.2025.250

Potentilla fulgens Wall ex Sims. exerts anti-diabetic effects by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase: deeper insights through molecular docking

Anita Kumari Rai, Careen Liza Pakyntein, Stability Nongrum, Daiahun Thabah, Shelareen Ediemi Sunn, Donkupar Syiem

Potentilla fulgens Wall ex Sims., a local medicinal plant used by the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya, India, has been reported to be rich in tannins, polyphenols,…

#α-Amylase #α-Glucosidase #Diabetes #Docking
p. 1-15
10.62313/ijpbp.2025.244
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62313/ijpbp.2025.244