GC-MS Analysis, Metal Analysis and Antimicrobial Investigation of Sterculia diversifolia

Plants of Sterculia genus contain various types of bioactive compounds which bears therapeutic potential. The current research was planned to perform gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and metal analysis, and to test the antimicrobial activity of various extracted samples of Sterculia diversifolia G. Don specie. Screening of S. diversifolia for chemical constituents was carried out using various qualitative procedures, which confirmed the existence of a number of bioactive compounds. Gas chromatography followed by GC-MS is a significant analytical tool for the assessment of composition of fixed oils or oily fractions. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the determination of micronutrients, while atomic emission flame photometer for the analysis of macronutrients. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were investigated by well diffusion and tube dilution techniques respectively. The n-hexane fractions of both the stem bark and leaves of S. diversifolia were analyzed with the help of GC-MS, resulting in the identification of 32 and 62 compounds, respectively. Various micronutrients and macronutrients shown reasonable quantities in stem bark and leaves extracts. The n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions of S. diversifolia stem bark, leaves and seeds showed mild to moderate range of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and no antifungal activity against any fungal strain. Our findings support the use of S. diversifolia in traditional medicine.