Identification and quantification of phenolic compounds from Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del (Balanitaceae) galls and leaves by HPLC–MS

Abstract

Balanites aegyptiaca is a tropical plant which is widely used for medicinal purposes in several African countries, including Burkina Faso. Despite its widespread use, little is known about its phenolic content. This study sought to carry out a screening of the polyphenols from the leaves and galls of B. aegyptiaca. A high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method was used to investigate the phenolic content in the parts of the plant studied here. The phenolic acid profile showed the presence of gentisic, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids in the crude and hydrolysed extracts. The flavonoids pattern showed hyperoside, isoquercitrin, rutoside and quercitrin in the crude extract of leaves. Myricetol, quercetol and kaempferol were found after acid hydrolysis of the leaves extract. Ferulic acid, isoquercitrin, rutoside and quercitrin were identified as major phenolic compounds in this study.

Keywords:

• phenolic compounds
• Balanites aegyptiaca
• galls
• Burkina Faso
• HPLC–MS

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Francophony University Agency for providing the Doctoral Fellowship ‘EUGEN IONESCU’ that facilitated the HPLC–MS analysis in the Technology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’. We also thank the botanist Prof. Millogo for identifying the plant species.