Metabolite profiling of betel palm nuts (Areca catechu L.)

The nuts of the betel palm (Areca catechu L.) are a valuable medicinal component due to their pharmacological effects and the presence of numerous bioactive metabolite compounds. To analyze the composition, abundance, and bioactivity of these metabolites, metabolite profiling was conducted using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis resulted in a chromatogram with 88 peaks, identifying 63 compounds, including four dominant ones, as well as other unknown metabolites, yielding a total metabolite compound abundance of 96.66%. The most abundant compound was arecoline (31.19%), followed by phthalic acid di(2-propylpentyl) ester (4.99%), 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-methyl ester (3.51%), and hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (2.40%). The compounds detected in the betel palm nuts included organic acids, alcohols, esters, carbohydrates, fatty acids, steroids, alkaloids, aromatics, phenols, and ascorbic acid. Arecoline, which is unique to betel palm nut extract, belongs to the class of pyridine-type alkaloids derived from the shikimic acid biosynthesis pathway. It exhibits a cholinergic effect and possesses various therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antihelminthic, and analgesic effects. Therefore, it holds potential for various treatment and therapy applications, particularly for conditions related to the nervous system, cancer, and more.