Volatile compound analysis of the leaves and seeds of Piper guineense using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

The volatile compounds in the leaves and seeds of Piper guineense plant from South East Nigeria, were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analysis was carried out to identify the compounds responsible for the characteristic flavor of the flavouring spices. A total of thirty-three volatile constituents were identified in the leaves and seeds of Piper guineense using GC-MS. The major compounds identified include acids, esters, alcohols, hydrocarbons and others. Acids were found to be the predominant constituent group followed by esters. The leaves and seeds of Piper guineense had acids in the values of 65.56 and 53.72%, respectively. The esters were also found to be more in the leaves (25.63%) than in the seeds (5.22%) of P. guineense. The hydrocarbons identified appeared more in the seeds (11.47%) of P. guineense. The monoterpene (beta-myrcene) and sesquiterpenes (aromadendrene, trans-alpha-bergamotene, copaene) hydrocarbons identified were also present in the seeds than in the leaves of the P. guineense. Gamma-elemene, a sesquiterpene were identified in both the leaves and seeds of P. guineense at the same retention time of 10.242 min but at different concentrations of 0.41 and 0.72%, respectively.   Key words: Piper guineense, volatile compounds, leaves, seeds.