Abstract Gongronema latifolium (Amaranth globe) is popularly known for its nutritional and health promoting values. This plant is widely found in the southern part of Nigeria and is used in local dishes and also for Medicinal purposes. In this project the essential Medicinal and nutritive compounds were detected using GC-MS analysis. The leaves of Gongronema latifolium were dried and extracted with n-hexane. The dry paste was subjected to GC-MS analysis. Various Medicinal and nutritive compounds were detected which included 1,5-diisopropyl-2,3dimethylcyclohexane, 2,5-bis(1-methyl propyl)-phenol, 2,4,6-trmethyl propiophenone,
Octadecamethylcyclononasiloxane, 2,2-dimethyl -2-[2,3,5,6-tetramethyl] ethanol, 5-flouro-2-triflouromethyl benzoic acid-4-tride, 4-t-butyl-2-(1-methyl -2-nitroethyl) cyclohexanone, are 1,2-dimethyl-2-peptene, Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, 1-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-benzene, Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, Hexene-1ylcyclohexane etc. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity ofGongronema latifolium were determined by several standard methods using spectrophotomer. Based on DPPH, total antioxidant, copper chelating and Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, the extract ofGongronema latifolium showed strong scavenging activity when compared with standards. The total antioxidant capacity assay through the phosphomolybdenum method showed 0.74 ± 0.076 mg GAE/g dry extract. At 1mg/ml the percent of DPPH radicals scavenged byGongronema latifolium and gallic acid were 31.74±1.79 % and 94.26±2.36 % respectively. Gongronema latifolium andquercetin used as reference showed higher NO scavenging of 54.11±2.68 % and 61.59±1.70 respectively at 0.2 mg/ml. The extract also has higher chelating potential as compared with standard EDTA. Conclusion n-hexane extract of Gongronema latifolium contain bio compounds important for the Medicinal and nutritive potentials. Hexane extract ofGongronema latifolium leaf is a potential source of natural antioxidants and serves as an effective free radical scavenger and/or inhibitor. Hence, Gongronema latifolium might be a good plant-based pharmaceutical product for several diseases caused by free radicals.
Keywords GC-MS Analysis, Gongronema latifolium, n-Hexane, Extract.