Abstract
Aims: To identify extractable components in the traditional medicinal plant, Bryophyllum pinnatum (BP). Methodology: The leaves of BP were sequentially extracted with non-polar (CH2Cl2) and polar (CH3OH) solvents. The extracts were derivatized to their volatile fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and trimethylsilyl (TMS) esters/ethers and characterized by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of sterols, fatty acids, monoarylphenolics, sugars, alcohols, sugar alcohols, sugar acids, carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, tricarboxylic acids, vitamin, alkanes and alkenes. Conclusion: Compounds identified (e.g. tocopherol) in the extracts are most likely responsible for its antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, antitumour and insecticidal activities. Original Research Article Faboro et al.; EJMP, 14(3): 1-10, 2016; Article no.EJMP.26156 2