Phytochemicals Analysis of Water Yam Leaf - Dioscorea Alata

This research takes a closer look at the chemical makeup of Dioscorea alata (water yam) leaves, using a technique called Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). While water yam is mostly known and cultivated for its edible tubers, its leaves are often overlooked, even though they hold important medicinal and nutritional value. This study, revealed nineteen bioactive compounds, which were grouped into categories such as fatty acids and esters, terpenoids and sterols, vitamins and phenols, and aromatic esters. The identified compounds and their relative abundance are: 4-(Prop-2-enoyloxy)octane (3.33%), Neophytadiene (3.89%), Tetradecanoic acid (1.10%), Dodeca-1,6-dien-12-ol, 6,10-dimethyl- (1.11%), Hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (5.47%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (29.13%), Phytol (5.42%), Octadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (2.77%), Linoleic acid ethyl ester (1.70%), 9-Octadecenoic acid (Oleic acid) (15.99%), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Linoleic acid) (6.14%), 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid (α-Linolenic acid) (5.27%), Tridecenyl tiglate (1.25%), Squalene (6.97%), Vitamin E (α-Tocopherol) (3.09%), β-Sitosterol (3.03%), Cycloergost-24(28)-en-3-ol, 4,14-dimethyl- (1.21%), Cycloergost-24(28)-en-3-ol, 4,14-dimethyl-, acetate (1.33%), and Stigmast-4-en-3-one (1.82%). n-hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid), made up over 29% of the extract. It’s widely recognized for its ability to reduce inflammation and act as an antioxidant. Other key compounds like oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, phytol, squalene, β-sitosterol, and vitamin E also appeared in meaningful amounts, each offering valuable health benefits, from supporting heart health and boosting the immune system to protecting the skin and fighting off microbes. The results showed that water yam leaves are more than just agricultural waste, they’re a powerful source of natural compounds with real health potential.