Metabolite profiling of betel palm nuts (Areca catechu L.)
1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Sriwijaya, South Sumatra, Indonesia. 2 Program Study of Biology, Fac. of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Sriwijaya, South Sumatra, Indonesia.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Biology and Pharmacy, 2024, 12(02), 034-049.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjbp.2024.12.2.0039
Publication history:
Received on 31 October 2024; revised on 15 December 2024; accepted on 18 December 2024
Abstract:
The nuts of the betel palm (Areca catechu L.) are a valuable medicinal component due to their pharmacological effects and the presence of numerous bioactive metabolite compounds. To analyze the composition, abundance, and bioactivity of these metabolites, metabolite profiling was conducted using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis resulted in a chromatogram with 88 peaks, identifying 63 compounds, including four dominant ones, as well as other unknown metabolites, yielding a total metabolite compound abundance of 96.66%. The most abundant compound was arecoline (31.19%), followed by phthalic acid di(2-propylpentyl) ester (4.99%), 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-methyl ester (3.51%), and hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (2.40%). The compounds detected in the betel palm nuts included organic acids, alcohols, esters, carbohydrates, fatty acids, steroids, alkaloids, aromatics, phenols, and ascorbic acid. Arecoline, which is unique to betel palm nut extract, belongs to the class of pyridine-type alkaloids derived from the shikimic acid biosynthesis pathway. It exhibits a cholinergic effect and possesses various therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antihelminthic, and analgesic effects. Therefore, it holds potential for various treatment and therapy applications, particularly for conditions related to the nervous system, cancer, and more.
Keywords:
Areca catechu L.; betel palm nut; GC-MS; metabolite profile; bioactivity
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