GC-MS analysis of unpolar fraction from Ficus carica L. (fig) leaves

Moraceae is very common in the Mediterranean region and in the countries with dry and warm climate. Since ancient times the figs have been used for human consumption, but it was only recently that their nutritive and pharmacological value has been investigated. The aim of the current study was to investigate the metabolites profile of the different extracts (diethyl ether, petroleum ether, n-hexane, acetone and ethanol) from Ficus carica leaves. The highest yield of the extractable components has been obtained with n-hexane – 5.0 g/100 g dw. Thirty-seven unpolar compounds have been identified by GC-MS analysis. In the investigated extracts were mainly detected the following phytochemical compounds: saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (18% of TIC) – myristic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid; fatty alcohols (35% of TIC) – stearyl, behenyl, pentacosan-1-ol, ceryl, montanyl, melissyl alcohol and diterpenic alcohol – phytol; phytosterols (18% of TIC) – stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, lanosterol and cycloartenol; triterpenes (11% of TIC) – squalene, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, germanicol and lupeol. Phytol (32% of TIC), β-sitosterol (12% of TIC), α-linolenic acid (8% of TIC), cycloartenol (5% of TIC), lupeol (4% of TIC), α-amyrin (3% of TIC) and β-amyrin (2% of TIC) were established as the dominants compounds in Ficus carica leaves. The obtaining extracts of fig leaves were evaluated as a valuable source of high biological active lipid components for protecting the skin from environmental stress conditions and reactive oxygen species. These extracts can be potentially used for medical and natural cosmetics and caring protection against premature skin aging.