Abstract
Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple) is an important West African medicinal plant traditionally used in managing infectious and metabolic disorders. This study investigated the fruit parts (especially seed extracts) of Chrysophyllum albidum and their bioactive compounds were screened and characterized using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol, aqueous, and n-hexane (seed oil) extracts were evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Phytochemical screening revealed high levels of alkaloids and steroids in the pulp and high carbohydrate content in the seed. The methanolic and aqueous seed extracts contained 29 and 25 GC–MS–identified compounds, respectively, while the seed oil contained 40 compounds. Major constituents included n-hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid ethyl ester, squalene, stigmasterol, and vitamin E, all known for antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic activities. Antimicrobial assays showed concentration-dependent inhibition, with methanol extract exhibiting the highest inhibitory zones at 40 mg/mL: 23.5 mm (B. subtilis), 20.4 mm (S. aureus), 18.8 mm (K. pneumoniae), 17.3 mm (P. aeruginosa), 18.0 mm (C. albicans), and 17.5 mm (A. fumigatus). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 12–18 mg/mL for methanol extract, 14–20 mg/mL for aqueous extract, and 4–16% v/v for seed oil. The findings indicate that C. albidum fruit parts—particularly the seed—harbor promising antimicrobial agents and bioactive phytochemicals supporting their traditional medicinal use.