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Bombax ceiba Linn. is a species of the Bombacaceae – Kapok tree
family of Acacia, a wild tropical evergreen tree, and has immense
potential as a medicinal source for man. This work studied the
proximate, mineral, and bioactive components in Acacia B. ceiba
Linn. Result showed 1.92% protein content, 22.9% carbohydrate, 3.44%
ash, 7.25% fiber, 57.97% moisture, and 6.52% fat contents. Minerals
analyzed were content 0.237% potassium, 0.011% iron, 1.654% calcium,
0.002% manganese, and 0.245% P. Minerals are vital for various body
functions, such as muscle contraction, osmotic regulations, and
other body signaling. The GC–MS analysis of the methanol extract of
Acacia B. ceiba Linn. bark revealed the presence of 15 secondary
metabolites. Each of the secondary metabolites had different
retention times and area percentages. In the present study, the
secondary metabolites whose percentages were <5% were considered to
be insignificant. The secondary metabolites that had significant
area percentage include
1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one
(8.558%), heptasiloxane (13.419%), and Benzo[b]fluoranthene
(13.419%). The investigation also revealed that the bark of Acacia
B. ceiba Linn. contains a high amount of Benzanthracene, a
carcinogen. |
