Secondary Metabolites Profiling Using FTIR and GC-MS Techniques and Bioactivities of Fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) Aerial Parts and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant (Singlet Oxygen Scavenging and Hypochlorous Acid Scavenging) Activity

Plants produce numerous biological chemicals of various types. Phytochemicals found in plants seek to reduce the damage free radicals cause because they are abundant in vegetables and fruits. Plants containing high levels of useful phytochemicals in their composition provide dietary supplements that defend our bodies from free radicals. The purpose of this investigation involved analyzing the phytochemicals as well as GC-MS and FTIR properties found in aerial portions extracted with ethanol from Foeniculum vulgare. An electric power grinder chopped the Foeniculum vulgare aerial parts following shade drying at room temperature until they reached the ground state. A Soxhlet extractor worked with 250 ml of ethanol for the extraction of 50 g powdered plant leaves. The prepared mixture needed filtering through whatman paper. The analysis using GCMS determined the bio-active compounds found in Foeniculum vulgare aerial parts that were extracted with ethanol according to this research. Chemicals with biological activity, like β-Pinene, pentadecanoic acid, γ-Terpinene, (R)-(-)-alpha-Phellandrene, Thymol, L-Fenchone, (-)-beta-Copaene, (E)-beta-ocimene, trans-Anethole, beta-Copaene, Dipentene, (E)-3,7-Dimethylocta-1,3,6-triene, oleic acid, n-Octadecane, Behenic acid, alpha-Linolenic acid, n-Capric acid, and palmitic acid. FTIR spectrum indicates the presence of O-H group (alcohol), carboxylic acid, amine, Sulphur derivatives, amino acid, and nitro - compounds among others as recorded (667.37, 69.147, Strong, =C–H, Bending, Alkenes), (894.97, 82.045, Strong, =C–H, Bending, Alkenes), (1029.99, 61.548, Strong, C-F, Stretch, alkyl halides), (1238.30, 81.092, Strong, C-F, Stretch, alkyl halides), (1317.38, 81.874, Strong, C-F, Stretch, alkyl halides), (1373.32, 81. 514, Strong, C-F, Stretch, alkyl halides), (1519.91, 82.843, Medium, C=C, Stretch, Aromatic), (1616.35, 77.669, Bending, N-H, Stretch, Amide), (1743.65, 87.838, Strong, C=O, Stretch, Ester), (2852.72, 87.591, Strong, C-H, Stretch, Alkane), (2920.23, 83.176, Strong, C-H, Stretch, Alkane). The antioxidant activity was measured using leaves extract (Crude, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol Hexane, Water fraction and Lipoic acid (standard)) from Foeniculum vulgare which revealed 68.48 ± 5.30, 55.33 ± 4.91, 52.21 ± 4.83, 53.85 ± 4.40, 62.79 ± 5.00, and Lipoic acid (standard) 52.45 ± 1.13 values. The leaves extract (Crude, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol Hexane, Water fraction and Ascorbic acid (standard)) of Foeniculum vulgare tested for antioxidant activity (Hypochlorous acid scavenging) yielded results of 118.89 ± 6.15, 122.09 ± 6.17, 126.13 ± 6.82, 133.41 ± 7.00, 144.25 ± 7.63 and Ascorbic acid (standard) 220.89 ± 10.91.