Semibarbula orientalis (Web.) Wijk. and Marg: A Potential Source of Bioactive and High Value Phytochemicals

Aims: Present study aims to evaluate the presence of bioactive compounds of Semibarbula orientalis (Pottiales: Pottiaceae), a bryophyte whole plant methanolic extract by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) which are important medicinally as well flavouring and colouring agents.

Study design: Qualitative preliminary phytochemical and GC-MS analysis.

Place and duration of study: The study was carried out at Department of Botany, Center of Advanced Study, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur-Rajasthan (India) from January 2017 to December 2020.

Methodology: The Preliminary phytochemical screening of S.orientalis was carried out qualitatively following the standard methods of Harbourne, Trease and Evans. GC-MS analysis was performed by GC-MS-QP 2010 Shimadzu, Japan equipped with thermal desorption system TD 20.

Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, sterols, flavonoids and terpenoids. GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract of whole plant revealed the presence of 49 bioactive phytoconstituents which include mainly n-Hexadecanoic acid, Cis-vaccenic acid, Azulene, Hexadecanoic acid metyl ester, 1,3-Propanediol, 2-(hydroxyl methyl)-2-nitro, 9-12 Octadecadienol chloride (z,z), Octadecanoic acid etc.

Conclusion: Preliminary phytochemical and GC-MS profiling of methanolic extract Semibarbula orientalis whole plant showed the presence of high value bioactive compounds with important medicinal properties and other uses in food industries as flavouring and colouring agents.