Phytochemical Analysis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Plantain (musa Paradisiacal) Leaves Using Ftir and Chromatography Techniques

Student: blessing Ajoke Oyebamiji (Project, 2025)
Department of Biochemistry
Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nasarawa State

Abstract

ABSTRACT
This study presents a comparative phytochemical and spectroscopic evaluation of N-hexane and methanolic extracts of Musa paradisiaca (plantain) leaves. The aim was to identify and compare the phytochemical constituents, determine extraction yields, evaluate chromatographic behavior, and interpret functional groups using FTIR spectroscopy. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids in the methanolic extract, while N-hexane showed limited activity, detecting only tannins, phenols, and flavonoids. The percentage yield was higher in methanol (84%) than N-hexane (83%), suggesting better solubility of bioactive components in polar solvents. Chromatographic profiles showed varying retention factor (Rf) values depending on solvent polarity, indicating the presence of multiple compound classes. FTIR analysis of the extracts confirmed the presence of alcohols, phenols, ethers, alkanes, amines, aldehydes, amides, and thiols, with characteristic absorption bands at specific wavenumbers. These findings support the medicinal potential of plantain leaves, particularly in the methanolic extract, due to its richer phytochemical profile and higher functional group diversity.

Keywords
phytochemical analysis spectroscopic characterization bioactive compounds plantain paradisiacal leaves chromatography
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