Chemical characterization of the petroleum ether fraction of Paralemnalia thyrsoides soft coral using Gas Chromatography-Mass analysis

Abstract

GGenus Paralemnalia (Family: Nephtheidae), specifically Paralemnalia thyrsoides, is a soft coral known for its unique morphology and potential medicinal applications. Commonly referred to as finger coral or tree coral, it has finger-like lobes branching from a fleshy base and is typically colored beige. These soft corals are particularly interesting due to the presence of various secondary metabolites. These chemicals are thought to be a defense mechanism against predators and may have other biological activities. Research has shown that extracts from Paralemnalia thyrsoides contain a variety of these metabolites, including new and previously known compounds. The present study indicates that the petroleum ether fraction of Paralemnalia thyrsoides contains various compounds that were investigated through gas chromatography-mass analysis (GC/MS). The most abundant compounds were saturated fatty acids methyl ester (22.46%), oxygenated compounds (19.98%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (15.03%), unsaturated fatty acids methyl ester (10.06%), sterols (9.54%), nitrogenous compounds (7.33%), hydrocarbons (2.23%), in addition to minor saturated fatty alcohols (0.66%) and (12.71%)of the total compounds could not be identified based on the retention time and mass spectrum.