Bioactive Landscape of Desert Date (Balanites aegyptiaca): An Extensive Phytochemical Characterization, Spectroscopic Analysis and its Cytotoxic Properties
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63746/njtd.v23i2.3895Keywords:
Extraction, Balanites aegyptiaca, Acute toxicity tests, Drosophila melanogaster, Cytotoxicity.Abstract
Balanites aegyptiaca is an economically and culturally important fruit-bearing tree widely distributed in Africa and the Middle East. Despite its traditional applications and potential medicinal value, it remains an underutilised plant species with limited comprehensive evaluation of its phytochemical composition, extraction efficiency and biological activities. This study aimed to evaluate the extraction efficiency, phytochemical constituents, chemical profile and acute toxicity of Balanites aegyptiaca extracts obtained using ethanol and methanol. The plant extracts were prepared using ethanol and methanol as solvents, and extraction yields were determined. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out to identify major secondary metabolites, while Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and UV-Visible spectroscopy were employed to characterise the chemical constituents and functional groups present in the extracts. Acute toxicity assessment was conducted using Drosophila melanogaster as a biological model to evaluate concentration-dependent effects on survival, locomotion and development. The extraction yields were 23.3% and 24.7% for ethanol and methanol extracts, respectively, indicating slightly higher extraction efficiency of methanol. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, steroids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides in both extracts, with methanol showing greater affinity for terpenoids and steroids. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups associated with alcohols, alkanes, carbonyls and phenolic compounds, while GC-MS identified approximately 38 compounds comprising alkanes, fatty acids, phenolics and silyl derivatives. UV-Visible analysis showed a prominent absorption peak at 665 nm, suggesting the presence of chlorophyll-related compounds. Toxicity evaluation demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxic effects, with higher concentrations (250–750 mg/10 g) causing increased mortality and developmental abnormalities, whereas lower concentrations (50–100 mg/10 g) showed no observable toxic effects. The findings indicate that Balanites aegyptiaca contains diverse bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications; however, concentration-dependent toxicity should be considered in future utilisation and dosage optimisation studies.
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