Two-dimensional gas chromatography characterization of saw palmetto Serenoa repens chemical composition

Abstract

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) is an important technique used to investigate potential medicinal mixtures. The pharmaceutical industry is a trillion-dollar industry, and 25% of this value comes from plant-derived chemicals. Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) berries are known for their medicinal properties. This medicinal alternative aids in treatment of health problems such as asthma, benign prostatic hypertrophy, colds, migraines, prostate cancer, and sore throats. Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells rapidly divide and destroy body tissue. In 2018, an estimated 1.7 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States and 609,640 people will die from the disease. This disease affects people in different ways. The most common type of cancer is breast cancer, followed by lung and prostate cancer. In 2019, about 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed, and about 31,620 ended in death. One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and it mainly affects older men and African-American men. In this study, the chemical composition of saw palmetto leaves was characterized using GC×GC-time of flight mass spectrometry. Extractions were taken with two different solvents. Similar chemicals were identified in both solvent mixtures. Fatty acids and sterols compounds used to relieve urological disorders were identified in the saw palmetto leaves.

Citation

Moore, Roderquita K.; Mann, Doreen. 2020. Two-dimensional gas chromatography characterization of saw palmetto Serenoa repens chemical composition. Res. Note FPL-RN-0387. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 12 p.