Volatile Metabolome of Camel Urine Concentrate (Camelus dromedarius): A Comprehensive GC-MS Analysis Revealing a Reservoir of Bioactive Compounds with Ethnopharmacological Relevance
Sr No:
Page No:
1-10
Language:
English
Authors:
A. Abdulaziz*, I. Mohammed, M. U. Imam, K. M. Hamid, A.O Muhammed, M. B. Shagari
Received:
2026-01-16
Accepted:
2026-02-25
Published Date:
2026-03-01
Abstract:
The urine of the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) holds a significant place
in traditional medicine across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with historical applications
spanning dermatological, infectious, gastrointestinal ailments, and notably, cancer. Despite its
longstanding ethnopharmacological use, the detailed chemical composition underpinning its
purported bioactivity remains poorly characterized, hindering scientific validation and
standardization.
Aim of the study: This study aimed to perform a comprehensive, high-resolution Gas
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of camel urine concentrate (CUC) to
establish its volatile and semi-volatile metabolomic profile, identify potential bioactive
constituents, and provide a chemical basis for its traditional medicinal uses.
Materials and methods: Fresh urine was aseptically collected from six healthy male
dromedary camels in Sokoto, Nigeria, pooled, and concentrated via gentle dehydration. The
resulting semi-solid concentrate was subjected to solvent extraction (n-hexane/diethyl ether).
The derivatized extract was analyzed using GC-MS with a 30 m capillary column and a mass
range of m/z 50–550. Compound identification was achieved by comparing mass spectra with
the NIST14 library and literature data.
Results: The GC-MS analysis identified and characterized 40 distinct volatile and semi-volatile
organic compounds. The metabolome was dominated by lipid-derived compounds, with fatty
acid esters constituting the most abundant class. Dodecanoic acid esters were the predominant
components, accounting for approximately 10.48% of the total ion chromatogram area. Other
significant bioactive compounds identified included the monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid
(0.37%), saturated fatty acids n-hexadecanoic acid (0.07%) and octadecanoic acid (0.06%), and
the monoterpenoid isopulegol (0.19%). The profile also featured aromatic hydrocarbons,
phenolics, and nitrogenous compounds. The chemical diversity observed aligns with the unique
renal physiology and water conservation adaptations of the camel.
Conclusion: This study presents the first detailed, high-resolution GC-MS profile of
concentrated camel urine, revealing a complex and unique metabolome rich in compounds with
established pharmacological potential. The identification of fatty acid esters, terpenoids, and
phenolic compounds provides a tangible chemical scaffold to explain the broad-spectrum
ethnopharmacological claims associated with camel urine, particularly its anticancer,
antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory uses. This chemical blueprint is essential for future
standardization, quality control, and bioactivity-guided isolation studies.
Keywords:
Camel urine, Camelus dromedaries, Zootherapy, Metabolomics, GC-MS, Fatty acid esters, Terpenoids, Ethnopharmacology.