Characterization of fatty acids in the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta

Abstract

The roots of Cryptolepis saguinolenta were extracted with petroleum ether (40–60C) to afford the oil in 0.7% yield to the wet mass of raw material. The fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were separated and analyzed by GC-MS. The following fatty acids as their methyl esters in various proportions were obtained: linoleic acid (52%), palmitic acid (17%), stearic acid (5.8%), margaric acid (2.8%), oleic acid (1.8%), and arachidic acid (1.8%). The most abundant fatty acid identified was the essential dietary fatty acid linoleic acid in the proportion of 52%, which underscores the health and nutritional benefits of the plant besides its medicinal properties, which was the aim of this work