Article

The study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and bioactive potential of Gyrocarpus americanus (Hernandiaceae) leaves through extraction, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and characterization using GC-MS. Phytochemical extraction was performed using solvents of varying polarities, including petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol, to determine their efficacy in extracting bioactive compounds. The extracts displayed diverse colors, indicative of the differential solubility of compounds, with methanol emerging as the most efficient solvent for polar compounds such as alkaloids, phenols, tannins, and saponins. Qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, and resins, with notable variation in their distribution based on solvent polarity. Quantitative analysis revealed methanol as the most effective solvent, yielding the highest concentrations of alkaloids (500 mg/g), phenols (450 mg/g), tannins (400 mg/g), and flavonoids (350 mg/g). The GC-MS analysis further identified a wide array of bioactive compounds, with a total of 25 major constituents. The most abundant compound, 5-Dimethyl(trimethylsilyl)silyloxytridecane, accounted for 22.67% of the total area, while 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, 2-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-1-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy] tridecane contributed 11.84%. Other notable compounds included ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, fumaric acid, and benzeneacetic acid derivatives, each possessing significant pharmacological potential, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study highlights the rich phytochemical diversity of G. americanus and its potential as a source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications. The findings provide a scientific basis for the traditional medicinal uses of the plant and pave the way for future studies on the isolation and biological evaluation of specific compounds.