Abstract

Avocado pear (Persea americana) seed is an underutilised plant by-product with considerable potential as a source of bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and chemical constituents of avocado seed extract using quantitative phytochemical analysis and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Mature avocado fruits were obtained from Etche markets in Rivers State, Nigeria. The seeds were removed, washed, air-dried, pulverised and extracted using Soxhlet extraction with aqueous and ethanolic solvents. Quantitative analysis revealed the presence of eight phytochemical constituents, with phenols having the highest concentration (28.11 mg/100 g), followed by flavonoids (18.54 mg/100 g), tannins (9.08 mg/100 g), glycosides (6.19 mg/100 g), steroids (3.47 mg/100 g), saponins (2.15 mg/100 g) and terpenes (1.67 mg/100 g), while alkaloids recorded 3.90%. GC–MS analysis identified 26 chemical constituents, including furfural, phytol, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, β-sitosterol, quercetin, stigmasterol, campesterol, gallic acid, oleic acid, catechin, epicatechin, squalene, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol, linalool, geraniol, β-caryophyllene, dodecanoic acid and linoleic acid. Linoleic acid recorded the highest peak area (13.78%), followed by Oleic acid (10.92%) and Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (9.78%). The findings demonstrate that avocado seed contains diverse phytochemical and chemically characterised constituents of potential biological significance, supporting its further investigation as a source of bioactive compounds.