ABSTRACT
Telfairia occidentalis possesses high antioxidant activity. However, the antioxidant components of the plant have not yet been identified. This study was undertaken to identify the phenolics in the leaf of the plant. Extract and fractions of the leaf of the plant were analysed using the HPLC and GCMS. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid [22.19microg/mg], catechin [29.17microg/mg], caffeic acid [9.17microg/mg], ferulic acid [0.94microg/mg], sinapic acid [1.91 microg/mg] and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid [43.86 microg/mg] in the aqueous extract. Phenolics fraction contained gallic acid [0.88 microg/mg], catechin [2.70microg/mg], caffeic acid [7.92microg/mg], ferulic acid [2.72microg/mg], benzoic acid [6.36microg/mg], pcoumaric acid [1.48microg/mg], quercetin [12.00microg/mg]. Only caffeic acid [2.50microg/mg], ferulic acid [0.44microg/mg] and quercetin [8.50microg/mg] were detected in the flavonoid fraction. While GCMS analysis showed the presence of methylparaben; ethylparaben; benzoic acid; 4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-3,5,6-trimethyl-, methyl ester; 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy; phenol, 5-methoxy-2-[methoxymethyl]-; phenol, 5-methoxy-2, 3- dimethyl; and phenol, 2-[2-benzothiazolyl]-. This study is the first to reveal the identity of some phenolics components of the leaf of Telfairia occidentalis