This pioneering study focused on the isolation and structural elucidation of phytochemicals from the stem bark of Engkabang (Shorea macrophylla), a species belonging to the family Dipterocarpaceae, known for its diverse bioactive compounds and traditional uses. The hexane extract of its stem bark underwent multiple chromatographic techniques, including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC), and gravity column chromatography (GCC), successfully isolating the fatty alcohol and 1-octadecanol. The structure of the isolated compound reached validation through various spectroscopic techniques, including ¹H and ¹³C NMR, as well as 2D NMR methods (COSY, HMBC, HSQC), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The discovery of 1-octadecanol highlights the potential of S. macrophylla as a source of bioactive compounds with possible applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biofuels. This research work marks the first report of a fatty alcohol from S. macrophylla, contributing significantly to the phytochemical understanding of this species.

Keywords: Engkabang (S. macrophylla), spectroscopy, bioactive compounds, fatty alcohol, 1-octadecanol, phytochemicals

Key findings: The presented study reports the first isolation of 1-octadecanol from S. macrophylla stem bark, as confirmed through spectroscopy. The finding highlights the ecological role of fatty alcohols in plant adaptation and suggests potential applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels, considerably contributing to the phytochemical properties of the species.