Phytochemical Characterization using GC-MS Analysis of Methanolic Extract of Moringa oleifera ( Family Moringaceae) Plant Cultivated in Iraq

Objective: The aim of the present study was to characterize the Moringa oleifera plant cultivated in Iraq for the presence of biologically active phyto-chemicals using methanolic extracts of the plant (leaves and seeds) . This study was determined by using Gas Chromatography –Mass spectrometry, while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract was matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. Methods: In the present investigation, methanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera were screened for the presence of steroids, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinoin and cardiac glycosides by standard qualitative test procedures and further this study was extended by analyzing the potent bioactive compounds in the methanolic extract of plant using GC-MS analysis. Results: reveal the presence of different compounds (about 100 compound) in the Moringa plant extract among them alkaloids, terpenoids steroids, saturated and unsaturated fatty acid, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon, polyphenolic compounds. GC-MS was done using the database of National Institute of standard and Technology (NIST). Conclusion: Results confirmed the presence of therapeutically potent compounds in the Moringa extract predominantly steroids, flavonoids and terpenoids