Leaf Phytochemical Screening Using GC-MS Analysis of Some Selected Species Belonging to Solanaceae Family

Abstract

The family Solanaceae is recognised for its rich diversity of bioactive secondary metabolites with pharmacological and industrial importance. The present study aimed to characterise and compare the phytochemical composition of selected Solanaceae species collected from different regions of Sudan using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and to identify major bioactive compounds with potential medicinal value. Plant materials were collected, shade-dried and extracted using 95% ethanol, followed by GC-MS profiling under standard operating conditions. Compound identification was performed through spectral matching with the NIST database, and relative abundances were calculated by peak-area normalisation. A total of 147 phytochemical compounds were identified across the studied species, distributed over 29 retention times ranging from 3 to 33 min. Most compounds were detected within the 14-28 min interval, indicating the predominance of mid- to high-molecular-weight constituents. Major compounds included n-hexadecanoic acid, phytol, vitamin E (tocopherol), squalene, stigmasterol, and several hydrocarbon and fatty acid derivatives. The distribution and concentration of these compounds varied among species, as illustrated in Figs. 1-7, reflecting species-specific metabolic profiles. Notably, Datura species exhibited greater phytochemical diversity and abundance, whereas Physalis angulata and Withania somnifera showed higher levels of specific bioactive compounds. The identified metabolites are associated with biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, supporting the medicinal relevance of these plants. This study highlights the chemical richness of Solanaceae species and provides baseline data for further phytochemical and pharmacological investigations.