Adillani Nur Mugfirah Anwar, Mamat Pratama, Rahmawati Rahmawati

Chemical Profile of Red Dragon Fruit Peel (Hylocereus polyrhizus) by Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry

Introduction

Chemical profile of red dragon fruit peel (hylocereus polyrhizus) by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. Uncover the chemical profile of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) peel by GC-MS. Identifies 82 compounds, including pentadecanoic acid, showing potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Abstract

Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus), a tropical species native to Asia, has gained attention for its potential as a source of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to characterize the chemical constituents present in the peel of H. polyrhizus using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The extraction process was performed through maceration with 96% ethanol for four days, followed by filtration and concentration using a rotary vacuum evaporator. The resulting ethanolic extract was analyzed using GC–MS under the following parameters: injector temperature of 250 °C and a programmed column temperature ranging from 70 °C (held for 2 min) to 200 °C at a heating rate of 100 °C/min. The chromatographic analysis identified a total of 82 distinct compounds, indicating the chemical diversity of the extract. Among these, the most abundant peak was detected at a retention time (RT) of 22.806 min, corresponding to pentadecanoic acid (C₁₅H₃₀O₂). The presence of fatty acids, esters, and phenolic derivatives suggests that H. polyrhizus peel may serve as a valuable natural source of antioxidants and other pharmacologically active constituents. Overall, the findings provide fundamental insights into the phytochemical composition of red dragon fruit peel, supporting its potential application in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations.

Review

This study provides a valuable preliminary characterization of the chemical constituents present in red dragon fruit (*Hylocereus polyrhizus*) peel, a byproduct with considerable untapped potential. The application of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for profiling is well-suited for identifying a broad range of volatile and semi-volatile compounds, and the identification of 82 distinct compounds underscores the chemical richness and complexity of this matrix. Such foundational insights are crucial for valorizing agricultural waste and developing new sources for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications, making the research timely and relevant. The methodology employed, including the maceration with 96% ethanol and the specific GC-MS parameters, is clearly articulated in the abstract, enhancing the reproducibility of the study. The identification of pentadecanoic acid as the most abundant compound, along with its precise retention time, offers a significant specific finding that can guide subsequent research. The broader categorization of identified compounds into fatty acids, esters, and phenolic derivatives provides a useful overview, strongly suggesting the presence of bioactive molecules with potential antioxidant and pharmacological properties, thereby substantiating the authors' claims regarding its applicability. While the abstract presents compelling preliminary data, certain aspects could benefit from further detail or clarification within the full manuscript. The reported GC-MS heating rate of 100 °C/min is remarkably high and could potentially compromise chromatographic resolution and peak identification accuracy; a critical evaluation of this parameter would be beneficial. Furthermore, while 82 compounds were identified, the abstract does not specify the confidence level of these identifications (e.g., library match quality, use of standards). Future research should aim to quantify key identified compounds, particularly pentadecanoic acid, and integrate *in vitro* or *in vivo* assays to empirically validate the hypothesized antioxidant and pharmacological activities.

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