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Ornamental and Medicinal Plants, 2025, 8(1-2): 1-19
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Article

Phytochemical characterization of fresh and air-dried ethanolic leaf extract of African marigold Tagetes erecta (L.)

Ralf Benjo G. Morilla, Mark Anthony J. Torres, Cesar G. Demayo
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, 9200 Iligan City Philippines

Received 22 January 2025;Accepted 26 January 2025;Published online 29 January 2025;Published 1 June 2025
IAEES

Abstract
Tagetes erecta (L.), also known as African marigold, has a lengthy history of traditional medicinal use due to its presumed therapeutic properties. The leaves of T. erecta (L.) have been used in traditional medicine to treat various health issues, including arthritis, joint pain, fever, skin disorders, and allergies. This study aims to investigate the medicinal potential of T. erecta (L.) leaves by evaluating their biological properties and phytochemical composition. Fresh and air-dried ethanolic leaf extracts of T. erecta (L.) were prepared and phytochemically screened for bioactive compounds. Using a reduction power assay, the antioxidant activity of both extracts was determined, and the results were compared to the antioxidant activity of vitamin C. Additionally, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) was utilized to analyze the chemical composition of the extracts and identify potentially bioactive compounds. The biological functions with the greatest number of compounds were identified using seriation and cluster analysis. The T. erecta (L.) leaf extracts contained bioactive compounds, including saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids, according to phytochemical analysis. The antioxidant activity of the air-dried ethanolic leaf extracts was greater than that of the fresh extracts. Nonetheless, even at higher concentrations, the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic leaf extracts was inferior to that of vitamin C. The GCMS analysis identified 12 compounds in the extracts, where 10 are known to have specific biological functions. This study provides scientific support for the traditional medicinal applications of T. erecta (L.) leaves. The presence of bioactive compounds in the extracts and their antioxidant properties suggests that there may be a scientific basis for the purported efficacy of traditional medicine. T. erecta (L.) shows considerable promise as a valuable resource in traditional medicine and warrants additional research into its potential pharmacological applications.

Keywords Tagetes erecta (L.);phytochemical screening;folk medicine;anti-inflammatory;GCMS.


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