Proximate analysis, phytochemical profiling and GC–MS characterization of bioactive compounds of ethanolic extract and oil of Arachis hypogaea

Abstract Arachis hypogaea , commonly known as groundnut or peanut, is a legume cultivated for its food, nutritional and health benefits. The study aims to characterise in detail, the polar and non-polar components of Arachis hypogaea . The study was carried out by proximate analysis of the whole groundnut seed, followed by isolation of its polar and non-polar compositions by successive extraction, then phytochemical analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of the extracts were carried out following standard experimental protocols. The proximate analysis revealed the residual moisture to be 6.18%; protein 23.84%, fat 36.10%, carbohydrates 27.82%, fibre 3.63%, and ash 2.43%. Phytochemical analysis shows that the non-polar oil of Arachis hypogaea contains sterols and terpenoids, while the polar ethanolic extract contains phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, sterols, and terpenoids. The GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of twenty (20) bioactive compounds in the non-polar oil, with the most abundant being oleic acid, while the polar ethanolic extract contained thirty-four (34) bioactive compounds, with the most abundant being linoelaidic acid. The present study shows that Arachis hypogaea contains a rich profile of nutrients including sterols, flavonniod, tannins, sterols and phenolic; and bioactive compounds (oleic acid and linoelaidic acid), with high content of unsaturated fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, coupled with the presence of antioxidants. These bioactive components contribute to its value not only as a nutritional supplement but also as a potential therapeutic agent.