Somtochukwu Evurani¹, Dinebari Berebon¹, Chinelo Eze¹, Ezinwanne Ezeibe¹, Anosike Peace¹, Ogbanu Chidiomimi¹, Moses Asogwa¹, Kosisochukwu Offor¹, Stephen Emencheta^{1, 3}

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the phytoconstituents, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of Persea americana Mill. (Fam. Lauraceae) seeds extract and fractions. Methods: The plant seeds were air-dried, extracted with methanol, and fractionated using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol, respectively. Phytoconstituents of the extract and fractions and antioxidant activity were evaluated using GC-MS and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) at different concentrations (500, 250, 125, and 75 mg/mL). Antimicrobial activity evaluation against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli was carried out using the agar well-diffusion method with ciprofloxacin as positive control. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, carbohydrates, and terpenoids. Crude extract showed higher carbohydrate content (22.63 ± 0.73 mg/g) than fractions. Saponins were absent in extract and fractions. In vitro assays, including DPPH radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity, demonstrated high oxidative activity of Persea americana seed extracts and fractions. The samples showed antimicrobial activities, with crude extract and n-hexane fraction having a minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) of 31.25 mg/mL. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the presence of various phytoconstituents, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts and fractions of Persea Americana seeds. There would be need for studies to evaluate the toxicologic profile of the bioactive compounds in order to ascertain safety.