SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE STEM-BARK OF IRVINGIA GABONENSIS

Irvingia gabonensis is a medicinal plant valued in African traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic uses. This study focused on the ethyl acetate extract of its stem bark to isolate and identify its major bioactive constituent using modern chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Extraction of the powdered stem bark with ethyl acetate produced a 5.30% yield. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) suggested the presence of several phytochemical components, and subsequent column chromatography led to the isolation of a prominent compound labeled TSM 01. TLC analysis confirmed its purity by showing a single, well-defined spot when sprayed with visualizing agents. The structure of TSM 01 was elucidated using a combination of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Proton and Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR), Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS). The FTIR spectrum showed characteristic peaks for hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups, while NMR spectra revealed features typical of a symmetrical aromatic compound. The GC–MS and LC–MS data both displayed a molecular ion peak at m/z 302, consistent with a molecular weight of 302 g/mol. Together, these results identified TSM 01 as Ellagic acid, a well-known polyphenolic compound with recognized pharmacological importance.