Abstract

Investigation of secondary metabolites from the cryptic metabolic pathways in date palm fruit, garlic bulb and groundnuts from North-West Nigeria was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results indicated the presence of several compounds which include Valinomycin, asperglaucide, asperphenamate, cyclo (L-Pro-L-Tyr). Cyclo (L-Pro-L-Val), emodin, physcion, integracin A and B, Monocerin, and fallacinol were detected at different concentrations in the different sampled materials. Asperglaucide, asperphenamate, cyclo (L-Pro-L-Tyr), cyclo (L-Pro-L-Val), and emodin were found in all the tested samples at different concentrations. Garlic bulb contains valinomycin, emodin and physcion which are compound that may have a potential inhibitory effect on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) with their maximum concentration of 55.15, 20.25 and 419.45 µg/kg respectively in the tested materials. Integracin A and B which are compound with potential inhibitory effect on the HIV-1 integrase enzyme found in Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) were detected in garlic bulb samples at the maximum concentration of (3.98 and 18.68 µg/kg) respectively. This study has identified the presence of a compound of immense pharmacological importance, and it may provide a veritable lead for natural product discovery.

Key words: Asperphenamate; cryptic pathway; date fruits; garlic bulb; groundnut seed; metabolites.