Phytochemical profiling and functional potential of Trapa natans (Heikak Yetli): A GC–MS evaluation of bioactive phenolics

Abstract:

Trapa natans, commonly known as Heikak Yetli in Manipuri is an economically and nutritionally important aquatic macrophyte, which is utilized as a folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments. Despite its extensive usage as food and medicine, the phytochemical composition of volatile and semi-volatile constituents of this plant remains poorly characterized. In present study, we report the phytochemical profiling of petroleum ether extract of T. natans using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The extract showed 9 distinguishing peaks within a narrow range of retention time (35.725-38.801 min), contributing 2.50% of total chromatographic area with the majority of the area accounting for solvent front, silylation reagents and matrix. The major identified constituents were phenolic and bioactive derivatives such as Hexestrol, 2TMS derivative, 4-Methyl-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl) pent-1-ene, 2TMS derivative and 4-Tert-octylphenol, TMS derivative. In addition, several siloxane artifacts such as decamethyltetrasiloxane were also observed which necessitates exercise of caution while interpreting GC–MS data of plant extracts. The presence of phenolic derivatives in the extract of T. natans further supports its reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The results highlight the ethnopharmacological value of this plant and pave way for future studies to identify and characterize individual phytochemical constituents for functional food and pharmaceutical applications.