Phytochemical Study and Characterization of the Fixed Oil of Melothria Maderaspatana Fruit

This study aims to evaluate the phytochemical composition of Melothria maderaspatana (L.) Cogn. fruits, a plant recognized in African and Indian pharmacopeias, and to physicochemical characterize its fixed oil extract, in order to enhance its potential in phytomedicine. Fruits harvested in Taïba Ndiaye (Senegal) in December 2021 underwent qualitative phytochemical screening on hexane, ethyl acetate, methanolic, and aqueous extracts, followed by Soxhlet oil extraction (yield: 7.98%). Detected secondary metabolites include polyphenols (except hexane extract), flavonoids (aqueous extract), alkaloids (hexane and aqueous extracts), sterols/polyterpenes (except aqueous extract), leucoanthocyanins (except hexane extract), coumarins (hexane/ethyl acetate extracts), and gallic tannins (aqueous extract); saponins, mucilages, and catecholic tannins were absent. Oil characterization according to AFNOR standards reveals: iodine value (II) = 4.8 ± 0.07 g I₂/100 g, acid value (IA) = 1.0 ± 0.1 mg KOH/g, saponification value (IS) = 145.8 ± 0.05 mg KOH/g, peroxide value (IP) = 8.0 ± 0.3 µg O₂/g, and ester value (IE) = 144.8 ± 0.05 mg KOH/g. These results indicate a non-drying oil with low unsaturation, oxidation stability, and low free fatty acid content, highlighting the potential of M. maderaspatana as a source of lipids and bioactive compounds for nutraceutical and therapeutic applications, warranting complementary fatty acid analysis and toxicological evaluation.