Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography analyses of Costus afer stem ethyl acetate fraction

Costus afer is a medicinal plant commonly found in Africa that is known for its many medicinal properties. In this study, the bioactive compounds present in the ethylacetate fraction of the stem extract were identified using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The GCMS revealed that the ethylacetate fraction contains 1,6 Octadien-3-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-cyclohexene, estragole, caryophyllene, 1,3,6,10-Dodecatetraene and humulene while the HPLC identified chlorogenic acid, catechin, rutin hydrate, caffeic acid and quercetin as well as ellagitannin, tannic acid and gallotannin. Also identified were p-coumaric acid, rutin, ferulic acid, gallic acid, apigenin and ascorbic acid. We conclude that Costus afer stem contains a number of bioactive compounds that may have important medicinal properties.