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Field studies on the "Development and evaluation of different management schedules against fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera infesting tomato crop" were carried at farmer's field, village Surajgarh, Jhajjar, Haryana. The observations on infestation of fruit borer in tomato fruits at the time of each picking, %reduction of the fruit borer infestation, total marketable yield in different schedules over control and benefit cost ratio were calculated. The maximum larval reduction over control was observed in S6 i.e. spray of fenvalerate 20 EC @ 188 ml/ha (79.91%) followed by spray of nimbecidine 300 ppm @ 2.5 l/ha (79.04). On number basis, highest fruit damage reduction over control was observed in S6 (50.23%) followed by S5 (43.83%) and lowest (21.72%) in S4 i.e. African yellow marigold + yellow sticky trap + Trichogramma chilonis Ishi @ 50000 parasitised eggs/ha (2 releases at 4 days interval). On weight basis, %fruit damage reduction over control was maximum in S6 (57.47%) followed by S5 (53.10%) and minimum in S4 (25.06%). The highest benefit cost ratio (22.81) was recorded in S6 due to lowest cost of plant protection (Rs.3628.34/ha) and highest increased yield over control (72 q/ha). Although schedule S4 was next to S6 in term of total cost of plant protection but showed lowest benefit cost ratio (3.46) due to minimum increased yield over control (20 q/ha) among all the management schedules. Benefit cost ratio in remaining schedules were 8.97, 5.40, 3.71 and 3.58 in S5, S1, S2 and S3, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research was conducted to explore, for the first time, Tagetes erecta L. (family Asteraceae) fruits from northwest Iran in terms of the chemical composition of essential and fixed oils, their cytotoxic activities, and the inhibitory effect of essential oil on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The volatile oil was obtained through hydrodistillation (Clevenger apparatus). According to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, the essential oil was rich in cyclic monoterpenoids, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-3-cyclohexen-1-one (19.99%), d-limonene (12.75%), terpinolene (11.64%) and also the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (19.09%). Furthermore, the seeds of T. erecta were extracted using hexane by the maceration method. The analysis of fatty acid profile of the fixed oil by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) demonstrated that the most predominant fatty acids in fixed oil were linoleic acid (59.53%), palmitic acid (13.70%), stearic acid (10.20%), and oleic acid (9.20%). The cytotoxic activity of essential oil, crude oil, and fraction A (obtained from fixed oil) were evaluated by using the MTT assay on MCF7 (human breast cancer cell line), PC3 (human prostate cancer cell line), and U87MG (human glioblastoma cell line). Finally, the effect of essential oil on inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was evaluated using real-time PCR. The essential oil exhibited vigorous cytotoxic activity on the U87MG cell line, with an IC50 value of 32.65 μg/mL. Interestingly, the essential oil significantly inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cascade compared to the non-treated group. Our results suggest that the essential oil holds promise as an anticancer agent for glioblastoma cell lines. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report on the profile of the essential oil of T. erecta fruits and its implications for targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lutein is widely used in medicine, health care, and food processing due to its antioxidant effects; however, it is difficult for the traditional extraction of lutein using marigolds to meet the increasing market demand for lutein. To achieve high-efficiency lutein production, we investigated the effects of different conditions on the biomass accumulation and lutein yield of Chlorella vulgaris. The optimized cultivation conditions include mixotrophic cultivation using sodium nitrate as a nitrogen source, maintaining a total-organic-carbon-to-total-nitrogen ratio of 12:1, a total-nitrogen-to-total-phosphorus ratio of 10:1, and lighting duration of 24 h. The results of the study indicated that under these specific conditions, Chlorella vulgaris attained a final biomass concentration, biomass productivity, and growth yield of 6.08 g·L−1, 1.00 g·L−1·d−1, and 1.67 g biomass/g TOC, respectively. Additionally, the concentrations of total chlorophyll, carotenoid, lutein, and protein reached 139.20 mg·L−1, 31.87 mg·L−1, 15.02 mg·L−1, and 2.17 g·L−1, respectively, and the content of lutein reached 2.47 mg·g−1. This study supplies a theoretical basis for the industrial application of lutein production using Chlorella vulgaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound-assisted extraction using response surface methodology was employed to extract marigold flower, resulting in a marigold flower extract (MFE) with elevated levels of total phenolic compounds (TPCs), total flavonoid content (TFC), total carotenoid content (TCC), and antioxidant activity, as assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, under conditions of 40 °C temperature, 15 min extraction time, and 68% ethanol concentration. The MFE was subsequently encapsulated using spray drying with 45% maltodextrin (MD) (MFE–MD; 1:1, 1:2) and 20% gum arabic (GA) (MFE–GA; 1:2, 1:3). The MD (1:2 ratio) sample showed the highest encapsulation yield, while the 45% MD (1:1 ratio) sample exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (p ≤ 0.05). Samples containing 45% MD (1:1 ratio) and 20% GA (1:2 ratio) had the highest moisture content, with the 45% MD (1:1 ratio) sample showing the lowest water activity (p > 0.05). These samples also displayed higher L* and a* values compared to the 20% GA samples, which had increased b* values (p ≤ 0.05). Micrographs of the 20% GA (1:3 ratio) and 45% MD (1:2 ratio) samples revealed spherical shapes with smooth surfaces. The 20% GA (1:2 ratio) microcapsules exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC) among the samples (p ≤ 0.05). Thus, ultrasound-enhanced extraction combined with response surface methodology proved effective in producing functional food ingredients from plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using desi-cow waste products like Jeevamrit under natural farming is widespread among farmers for improving soil biology and productivity. Jeevamrit enhances soil chemical and microbiological properties without needing a large quantity of farmyard manure (FYM) as a sustainable farming practice with a reduced carbon footprint. Despite its traditional use, Jeevamrit faces criticism due to a lack of scientific evidence. This study investigated the comparative effect of Jeevamrit and chemical fertilizers on the growth and yield of marigold cv. Siracole. The experiment employed a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The mother block of marigolds was raised for both the summer and winter seasons. From this mother block, three harvesting flushes were taken and propagated from cuttings. The rooted cuttings were planted at monthly intervals and evaluated for flowering parameters and compared to those treated with RDF (30:20:20 N, P, and K g/m2). Soil supplied with Jeevamrit showed enhanced bacteria (26.33%), fungi (18.92%), and actinomycetes (31.21%) populations compared to the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (i.e., N–P–K @ 30:20:20 g m−2). Jeevamrit-treated plants have a more marketable flower yield per square meter (3.98%) and a longer shelf life (9.93%) compared to RDF. The study concludes that Jeevamrit @ 2 liters m−2 is a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional fertilizers for enhancing marigold production in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh, where natural farming is already accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their high specific capacitances, metal oxide-based electrodes still do not meet the commercial standard for cycling stability owing to their inherent poor electronic conductivity and morphological structural changes during charging and discharging. A superior specific capacitance, accompanied with long-term cycling durability, is pivotal for supercapacitor application. In this research article, different precursor volume ratios of copper–nickel solution were used for the construction of binder-free 3D marigold flower-like copper–nickel oxide (3D-MCuNi oxide) electrodes via a hydrothermal method. XPS, EDAX, and TEM studies reveal that the increased amount of O-vacancies in the marigold flowers of the copper–nickel oxide composite is caused by a significant number of imperfections in the structure and might enhance their electrical conductivity. The marigold flower-like morphological structure exhibits electrode–electrolyte ions with significantly high hydrophilicity and better electrochemical diffusion performance. The optimized volume ratio of Cu : Ni = 1 : 1 for 3D-MCuNi oxide composite nanomaterials demonstrates an excellent specific capacitance of 2387.15 F g−1 at a current density of 0.6 mA cm−2 and 93% cycling capacitive retention performance up to 10 000 cycles. Additionally, a flexible hybrid supercapacitor device (HSD) was assembled using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and 3D-MCuNi oxide as the negative and positive electrode, respectively, which revealed excellent electrochemical charge storage performance with a high energy density of 120.9 W h kg−1, power density of 34.82 kW kg−1, and superior cycling stability of 87% retention. Thus, the 3D-MCuNi oxide composite potential materials are more attractive for charge storage supercapacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botanicals from Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Basil, Rosemary and other medicinal plants have been analysed as potential replacements of chemical pesticides as they are effective and non-hazardous to the environment. The bioactive components thiophene is present in large amount in Tagetes sp. which have a wide range of biocidal properties. In this study the crude extracts of different parts of Tagetes erecta and Tagetes patula were obtained by Soxhlet extraction method. The leaf extracts were subjected to GC–MS to identify their components and to confirm the presence of thiophenes. Two major disastrous crop pests namely, Spodoptera litura and Corcyra cephalonica belongs to Order Lepidoptera, Family Noctuidae and Pyralidae were used for the experimental study. The effect of bioactive extract was tested by direct and indirect methods for their larvicidal effect. The S. litura larvae was allowed to feed on castor leaves coated with spraying different concentrations of methanolic sample extracts as indirect method. In the direct spraying method, the S. litura and C. cephalonica larvae were sprayed with low and high concentrations of crude sample extracts of both T. patula and T. erecta. Significant decrease in larval activity and survival rate within 24 h to 48 h were recorded for both the methods. The trials were performed using variousvolumes from 10 to 1000 µl to check larvicidal activity. The roots and stem extracts of T. erecta for 25 µl kill 100% larvae within 24 h whereas 50 µl of T. patula flowers, roots and stem extract effectively kill only 50% of the larvae in 48 h. A mini nursery evaluation were conducted by direct spraying method on larvae growing on jowar saplings, which displayed 100% mortality of larvae within 24 h for 25 µl of T. erecta leaf and flower extracts and T. patula flower extract. From these trials, it can be inferred that the extracts of T. patula and T. erecta provided effective outcomes as larvicides of S. litura and C. cephalonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil (EO) of Tagetes filifolia Lag. was obtained from dried plant material through Clevenger-type steam distillation and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS), a gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and enantioselective gas chromatography. The results showed 50 compounds (93.33%) with a predominance of oxygenated monoterpenes. The main components were trans-anethole (55.57 ± 9.83%), tridecene <1-> (8.66 ± 0.01), methyl chavicol (5.81 ± 0.85%) and Neophytadiene (3.45 ± 0.88) Enantioselective analysis revealed linalool and ionone as enantiomers. The identification of secondary metabolites from the ethyl acetate extract obtained by maceration was performed by GC-MS, NMR and by a literature comparison, determining the presence of mostly trans-anethole and a mixture of two triterpenes, fernenol and lupeol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of ornamental horticultural crops under salinity stress has been a challenge for growers all over the world. In this study, an attempt was made for pot cultivation of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L. var. Pusa Basanti Gainda) in salt-stressed (SS) soil (150 mM) with the combined use of mushroom compost leachate (CL) and foliar application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs). For this purpose, a total of six pot treatments, i.e., borewell water (BW; control), T1 (BW with SS), T2 (BW with SS and TiO2-NPs), T3 (CL supplemented), T4 (CL with SS), and T5 (CL with SS and TiO2-NPs) were conducted in triplicate. The results of this study showed that CL supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) improved the physicochemical i.e., pH (14.5%), electrical conductivity (32.9%), total nitrogen (27.4%), total phosphorus (247.6%)), and nutrient (organic matter: 119.6%) profiles of soil which later helped in higher growth (30–35%) and yield (5.4–40.7%) of T. erecta. In CL-based treatments, the biochemical constituents were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in BW-irrigated ones. Also, the levels of selected stress defense enzymes were significantly increased under SS treatment but reduced under TiO2-NP application. Overall, it was observed that the combined application of CL and TiO2-NPs (T5 treatment) was the most helpful treatment for enhanced germination, growth, yield, biochemical parameters, and better plant enzymatic activities to cope with saline stress. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of T. erecta plants under saline stress which is crucial for the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving plant tolerance to saline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, the Cu phytoremediation ability of two ornamental plants, Chrysanthemum indicum L. and Tagetes erecta L., was tracked concerning the growth and physiological responses. Plants were subjected to varying concentrations of Cu (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) under the pot experiment for 8 weeks. The results showed that the measured growth and physiological characteristics declined in T. erecta shoots and roots at all tested treatments compared with the control. However, in C. indicum at 100 mg/kg, shoot biomass, shoot total soluble protein, and leaves number remained equal to that of the control and then reduced by rising Cu concentrations, compared with the control. Also, results indicated that in C. indicum, after 56 days of exposure to Cu, the chlorophyll pigments content markedly increased and reached a maximum level at 100 mg/kg dose and gradually declined with enhancing Cu concentrations, compared with the control. Other measured growth and physiological parameters decreased in both tissues of C. indicum in response to Cu usage in the growth medium. The carotenoid content of T. erecta decreased in all studied Cu levels in comparison to the control, but in C. indicum remained unaffected up to 200 mg/kg Cu in comparison to the control and then enhanced with increasing Cu level. The augmentation of antioxidant enzyme activity in two species, especially in roots, reflected the incident of Cu stress as demonstrated by elevated MDA and ion leakage levels. Data concerning copper accumulation in tissues, TF, and BAF showed T. erecta is a weak Cu accumulator and seems not to be an appropriate candidate for Cu phytoremediation. However, the Cu content in shoots and roots of C. indicum increased significantly with an increment in applied Cu level. Also, C. indicum accumulated higher Cu concentrations in the roots than in shoots and exhibited TF < 1, 0.1 < BAF root < 1, and can be considered as a Cu excluder by the phytostabilization mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work is aimed to evaluate the blood pressure reducing effect of constituents from methanol extract and associated constituents of Tagetes patula flowers in normotensive and L-NAME induced hypertensive rats. The HPLC analysis of methanol extract of Tagetes patula flowers (JFM) resulted in the quantitative identification and percent comparison of four phenolic constituents, protocatechuic acid (PA), methyl protocatechuate (MPA), patulitrin (TRIN) and patuletin (PAT). All the extracts, fractions and compounds examined showed significant blood pressure lowering activity. Patulitrin (TRIN) which has emerged as the major constituent (15.33%) of T. patula flowers showed significant 30% and 68% fall in blood pressure in normotensive and L-NAME induced hypertensive rats respectively. The patuletin (PAT), which is an aglycone of TRIN displayed high percentage (84%) of antihypertensive activity. Further, comprehensive and advanced studies on these constituents may result in preparation of an effective blood pressure lowering medicine with active precious rare flavonoids, patuletin and patulitrin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flowers are not only for their ornamental, aesthetic purpose but it is a great nutritious to human diet and health. These are rich source of pigments and possess antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Few flowers are used traditionally in diet and there is huge scope to use edible flowers in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and pigment industry. But very less research has been done till date for finding proximate constituent, antioxidant activity and mineral profiling of edible annual flowers. The present work investigated the proximate constituent analysis and antioxidant activity of few annual flowers. Methods: In this laboratory analysis, different annual flowers were used for the experiment. They were Celosia cristata var. Deep Armor Purple, Celosia cristata var. Twisted Orange, Celosia cristata var. Pink, Celosia argentea var. Cristata Yellow, Celosia argentea var. Plumosa, Celosia cristata var. Bombay Pink, Gomphrena globosa, Gallardia pulchella, Tagetes erecta, Tagetes patula and Calendula officinalis. Proximate constituent analysis and antioxidant activity were performed using Association of Official Analytical Chemist (A.O.A.C) methods. Result: Among the different annual flowers, the maximum ash content (15.58%) the crude protein content (13.45%) and the crude fibre content (13.39%) were found in Gomphrena globosa flowers, whereas the minimum ash content (7.24%), the minimum crude protein (6.51%) and the minimum crude fibre content (6.63%) were reported in Calendula officinalis flowers. On the other hand, the antioxidant activity was found to be superior in the flowers of Tagetes patula (60.34%) followed by Tagetes erecta (57.99%) and the minimum antioxidant activity (43.89%) was found in flowers of Celosia cristata var. Twisted Orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tagetes erecta L. components (ray, disc florets, and oil) reduces the risk of ulcers. • Higher pH, reduced acidity, and lower ulcer index confirm herb's ulcer-protective effects. • Hydro-ethanolic extract showed significant dose dependent anti-ulcer potential. • Single oil dose reduces acute ulcers by 94 % and chronic ulcers by 96.93 %. • Prepared leaf oil surpasses herbal extract for superior ulcer protection. The Tagetes erecta Linn (family: Asteraceae) herb possesses medicinal and antioxidants value. The herb is traditionally used to treat various ailments, including ulcers. In order to investigate antiulcer activity of T. erecta herb , experimental study was performed between ray and disc florets extracted with 30 parts of water and 70 parts of ethanol solvents using Soxhlet apparatus and leaf's essential oil extracted in Clevenger apparatus by steam distillation method. Two doses of the hydroethanolic extract (400 and 800 mg/kg, Per os) and single dose of essential oil (10 ml/Kg, Per os) were administered for five consecutive days. Rat's pyloric ligation and aspirin (200 mg/kg, Per os) were used to induce acute and chronic gastric ulcers respectively. Antiulcer activity of both the herb's parts was compared on gastric juice parameters (pH, free acidity, total acidity) ulcer-index and ulcer percent protection. The p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant in statistical analysis. Elevation in pH, reduction in free acidity, total acidity and ulcer-index in both the ulcer models confirm that the test drug showed the ulcer-protective activity in rats. Dose-dependent effects were observed in the antiulcer activity of the hydroethanolic extract. However, the leaf's essential oil showed 94 % and 96.93 % ulcer protection in the pyloric ligation and aspirin-induced gastric ulcer models respectively. The hydroethanolic extract and the essential oil may be capable in part, regulating gastric acid secretion pathways or stimulating the cytoprotective secretion of bicarbonate, mucus and prostaglandins. Histological studies supported the observed antiulcer activity of the herb. The essential oil has more potent and significant anti-ulcer activity than hydro-ethanolic extract and respective standard drugs: ranitidine (50 mg/kg, Per os) & pantoprazole (20 mg/kg, Per os). The herb exhibits antiulcer activity, which could be due to the presence of lead phytochemicals: Quercetin-3-methyl ether, quercetin-7-methyl-ether & kaempferol flavonoids in the extract and limonene & terpinolene in leaf's essential oil and, thus, confirmed the traditional uses of T. erecta in the treatment of ulcers. The herb may cure acid pepsin disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tagetes is a genus consisting of several efficacious plant species known as marigold, which is native to Mexico and has spread worldwide due to its ability to adapt to different soil conditions. This genus is very popular among gardeners because it's easy to cultivate, adaptable, produces flowers all year round, has a free flowering habit, short duration, and the flower has an attractive color and shape. It has many flowers of varying colors such as red, orange, yellow, mixed red-orange or red-yellow, but the yellow and orange color are the most popular. The flowers contain many carotenoids, which act as antioxidants, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogen, nematicide, and cosmetics. The carotenoid can also cure fever, epileptic fits, astringent, scabies, liver complaints, stomachache, sore throat, and can be used as a natural moisturizer, and natural mosquito repellent Besides its use as a medicinal plant, Tagetes is also used as ornamental plants and edible plants. This manuscript's endeavour is to include some important investigations and studies about the general description, phytochemicals compounds and essential oils, medicinal uses, natural pesticides, and food and beverage uses of the marigolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We analysed the possible synergistic activity among active extracts from Artemisia cina and Tagetes lucida combinations on Haemonchus contortus, a nematode parasitising sheep. Methods: The work was carried out in vitro on eggs and infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus. The results were analysed with SAS 9.1, applying the ANOVA and Tukey test, and the lethal concentration (LC) values LC50 and LC90 were determined with regression analysis, employing Proc Probit of SAS 9.1. Additionally, the lethal concentration (LC) was calculated with LC50 and LC90 to determine the synergistic effect. Results: The results demonstrated a high efficacy of the two plants studied on both nematode eggs and L3 larvae as well as of their combinations. The highest egg hatching inhibition was obtained with a 50/50 combination, and the best larvae mortality was obtained with 25% A. cina and 75% T. lucida at 10 mg/mL. Additionally, this combination showed a synergistic effect. Conclusion: The two plant species studied here can be applied as natural anthelmintic alternatives due to their high bioactive effect and synergistic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to: i) analyze the water absorption capacity of seeds of some Tagetes sp.; ii) compare the water absorption of Tagetes sp. and Lactuca sativa L. seeds in order to assess the potential of genus Tagetes as test object for laboratory screening studies for establishing allelopathic interference in plant communities. Tagetes erecta (local population from Germany), Tagetes patula (local population from Germany), and Tagetes patula variety “Usmivka” (Bulgarian variety) have been included in the study. Equivalence in the water absorption capacity (Ws%) of the seeds of studied Tagetes sp. and Lactuca sativa L. variety “Great Lakes” was found, with the maximum of water absorption occurring at the first hour and stopping by the fourth hour, regardless of the temperature range in which the imbibition takes place. The significant differences in the cumulative values of the average water absorption capacity of the Tagetes sp. seeds compared to Lactuca sativa L. variety “Great Lakes” (Ws% average ranged from +5.68 to +83.27%), indicate that the species of genus Tagetes can be successfully used in laboratory screening studies to establish allelopathic interference under in vitro conditions. Further research is needed to establish seed water absorption capacity (Ws%) of Tagetes sp. depending on the type of aqueous extracts used in allelopathic studies (cold or temperate), as well as of the concentrations applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chemical constituents and Pharmacological activities of Tagetes minuta have been classified according to the research in between 1992 and 2023. • Essential oils and thiophenes are major bioactive constituents present in Tagetes minuta. • Extracts and isolated compounds of Tagetes minuta showed antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammtory and anticancer activities. With a rich historical background, Tagetes minuta (L.) (T. minuta) belonging to the family Asteraceae has been traditionally employed to treat numerous ailments. Notably, its essential oil finds application in agrochemicals, perfumery and cosmetic industries. This review aims to provide up-to-date information on its phytochemical constituents and various pharmacological activities along with relevant published patents of this plant. This valuable data will be beneficial for researchers, as well as professionals in agrochemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries seeking up-to-date insights. The literature available on this plant was thoroughly analysed to extract information regarding its phytochemical composition, including essential oils, flavonoids, terpenoids, thiophenes, sterols and phenolics. Moreover, the pharmacological activities of T. minuta were critically examined encompassing antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antidepressant and insecticidal properties among others. Overall, this comprehensive and systematic review consolidates the existing knowledge on the phytochemistry and the pharmacological activities of T. minuta that underscore its immense potential as a valuable source of natural compounds with diverse therapeutic properties. Additional investigations are necessary to uncover the underlying mechanisms of its actions and conduct clinical trials to verify its effectiveness and safety in humans. This review provides valuable insight for researchers, pharmacologists, and herbal medicine practitioners, supporting evidence-based utilization of T. minuta in the field of medicine, pharmaceuticals, and natural product discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The plant mediated synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is a fast-growing area of interest in the field of nanotechnology due to its eco-friendly approach. This study demonstrated the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Tagetes minuta leaf extract. The AgNPs were characterised using UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. UV-visible spectrum of synthesised silver nanoparticles showed maximum peak at 442 nm. TEM revealed that the particles were spherical in shape and size ranging from 10 to 50 nm. The EDX spectrum confirmed the presence of silver metal. Preliminary antibacterial activity was determined using the agar well diffusion method, which showed growth inhibition against selected gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study placed an intense emphasis on the excess discharge of agrobased industrial effluent and the use of plant extract antimicrobials to inhibit the growth of pathogens in crop plants. An effluent (treated and untreated) from the marigold flower processing industry has been identified for the presence of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, and a total of 18 in treated effluent and 23 in untreated effluent were found using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 13 classes were identified, which include carboxylic acid, phenols, esters, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, cyanide, heterocyclic, flavonoids, aldehydes, polycyclic aromatic, cycloalkanes, and cycloalkenes. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation was applied to discern the abundance of identified compounds under each class. An in vitro antifungal bioassay was conducted using effluents at three different concentrations against plant pathogens (Alternaria alter nata, Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium aphanidermata, Fusarium oxysporum, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides). The study proved that treated and untreated effluents clearly inhibited the growth of fungal pathogens by 10 to 32% and 37 to 92%, respectively. The findings suggest that marigold flower effluent can be a promising resource for developing new plant protection methods that are effective against pathogenic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marigold flower is a traditionally used plant material topically applied on the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial activity. This potential of action justifies the implementation of marigold extract in nanofiber scaffolds based on poly-vinylpyrrolidone/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (PVP/HPβCD) and polycaprolactone/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PCL/PVP) obtained by electrospinning for wound treatment. Using SEM, the morphology of electrospun scaffolds showed a fiber diameter in the range of 298–527 nm, with a uniform and bead-free appearance. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of marigold extracts in nanofibrous scaffolds. The composition of the nanofibers can control the release; in the case of PVP/HPβCD, immediate release of 80% of chlorogenic acid (an analytical and functional marker for marigold extract) was achieved within 30 min, while in the case of PCL/PVP, the controlled release was achieved within 24 h (70% of chlorogenic acid). All systems showed weak antibacterial activity against skin and wound-infecting bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 100 mg/mL), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 200 mg/mL) and yeasts Candida albicans (MIC 100 mg/mL). Analysis of the effect of different scaffold compositions of the obtained electrofibers showed that those based on PCL/PVP had better wound healing potential. The scratch was closed after 36 h, compared to the 48 h required for PVP/HPβCD. Overall, the study shows that scaffolds of PCL/PVP nanofibers loaded with classic marigold extract have the best potential as wound dressing materials because of their ability to selectively modulate inflammation (via inhibition of hyaluronidase enzyme) and supportive antimicrobial properties, thereby aiding in the early stages of wound healing and repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from various medicinal plants offer a promising alternative to non-selective chemical substances commonly employed in conventional agriculture. Their chemical composition includes several classes of chemical compounds with beneficial properties, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and phenylpropanoids, which can selectively control microbiological elements in soil and plants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the essential oils and floral waters obtained from a new variety of marigold (Tagetes patula L., fam. Asteraceae, "Nanuk" variety) across various parameters, including biochemical characterization using GC-MS, antioxidant activity evaluated under three methods (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), antimicrobial properties (for three G− bacteria: Perctobacterium carotovorum, Pseudomonas marginalis, Pseudomonas syringae and against three phytopathogenic fungi: Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea), and insecticidal activity. The results showed that when applied in high concentrations, marigold essential oil has a potential bactericidal effect on P. carotovorum, as well as a potential fungicidal effect on B. cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid, eco-friendly, and simple method for the synthesis of long-lasting (2 years) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is reported using aqueous leaf and petal extracts of Tagetes erecta L. The particles were characterized using UV-Visible spectrophotometry and the analytical and crystallographic techniques of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The longevity of the AgNPs was studied using UV-Vis and high-resolution TEM. The antibacterial activity of the particles against Erwinia amylovora was evaluated using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (p ≤ 0.05). Both the leaf and petal extracts produced AgNPs, but the leaf extract (1 mL) was long-lasting and quasi-spherical (17.64 ± 8.87 nm), with an absorbance of UV-Vis λmax 433 and a crystalline structure (fcc, 111). Phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids which are associated with -OH, C=O, and C=C were identified in the extracts and could act as reducing and stabilizing agents. The best antibacterial activity was obtained with a nanoparticle concentration of 50 mg AgNPs L−1. The main contribution of the present research is to present a sustainable method for producing nanoparticles which are stable for 2 years and with antibacterial activity against E. amylovora, one of most threatening pathogens to pear and apple productions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The edible flowers of marigold (Tagetes spp.) are cultivated for their aesthetic appeal and high utility as functional health food ingredients. Carotenoid and flavonoid contents in marigold petals highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate cultivar and its processing methods for their industrial applications. The comparative understanding of the effects of dry processing on functional components across different marigold cultivars is still lacking. Therefore, this study investigated functional compound changes in the dry processing effect on four marigold cultivars with distinct flower shapes (Durango, Inca) and colors (yellow, orange). The petals in hot air drying (HAD) with 30, 60, and 90 °C applications were analyzed for the measurement of their individual secondary metabolite contents, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities. In freeze drying (FD), the lutein content varied significantly based on flower color, exhibiting higher levels in cultivars with orange petals. Otherwise, the levels of quercetin derivatives displayed distinct differences based on varieties other than color, with Inca cultivars demonstrating higher levels of quercetin 7-O-glucoside (Q7G) than Durango cultivars. In HAD, the lutein levels show a tendency to increase above 60 °C regardless of the cultivar. The content of quercetin glycosides decreased, while the aglycone increased in HAD treatments, regardless of the temperatures. Correlation and PCA results highlighted the impact of phenol compounds on antioxidant activity. Overall, these findings underscore the significance of variety and color in determining the chemical composition and antioxidant properties of marigold flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During morphological evolution of gold nanoparticles, amino acids play a vital role in tuning shape, introducing chirality and inducing facet selective reactivity. Herein, we report the synthesis of unique marigold like structure (MGS) via growth reaction of methionine (Met) incubated positively charged anisotropic gold nanorod (GNR). Varying three important parameters such as growth time, concentration of Met and Au3+ reveals the combination of freshly generated small nucleated particles (fNPs) and GNR towards fabricating the unique MGS containing disk and ray floret parts. Strong interaction between Met and (111) plane of Au0 controls the orientation of (111) plane parallel to the direction of growth. This preferential interaction directs the assembly of gold nanostructures through Au (200) plane and results in merging of fNPs with concave GNR (cGNR) to fabricate the external arrangement of ray floret structure. The structural selectivity is attributed to the electron donating capacity of thioether functional group of Met(S) to Au+, generated prior to secondary nucleation. As confirmed by XPS and ζ‐potential analysis, the above interaction controls the Met concentration dependent inhibition of further Au+→Au0 reduction. The growth strategy of GNR has been further validated with a Met enriched peptide to produce disk and ray florets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematodes represent a large percentage of soil biodiversity and are one of the most common organisms in soil ecosystems. Plant-parasitic nematode that causes significant crop losses all over the world. Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most common dangerous species to damage the root portion of plants. M. incognita-affected plants exhibit decreased cultivation, reduced development and yellowing of the leaves with dry tips and corners. Furthermore, there is decay of roots and gall forms. Zinc is a necessary component for plant growth and ZnO NPs are similarly essential in supporting disease defense mechanisms as they promote plant growth. When produced using environmentally friendly methods, these nanoparticles, which have been studied in a variety of fields, exhibit, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant, properties. This study analyzes the environmentally friendly synthesis of green synthesized ZnO NPs with an aqueous root extract from Tagetes erecta to examine the UV-Vis which showed an identifiable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 352 nm. Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the presence of frequency ranges at 3537.25, 2439.72,1373.94, 686.52, and 412.73cm-1 for the produced ZnONPS. The Debye-Scherrer equation was used to find the average crystalline size of the produced ZnoNPs, and the result was 29.34nm. These results indicate that most ZnO NPs aggregated into hexagonal in shape. The effects on second-stage juveniles (J2) larval mortality of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, we carried out further in vitro analyses at various doses (100, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 μg/ml) and time intervals (24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hours). However, the maximum larval mortality rates (76.75% and 100% within 24 hours) were observed at doses of 750 and 1000 μg/ml. This study showed the effect of green synthesized ZnO NPs was found to influence the second-stage juveniles (J2) Meloidogyne incognita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marigold oleoresin is an oil-soluble natural colorant mainly extracted from marigold flowers. Xinjiang of China, India, and Zambia of Africa are the three main production areas of marigold flowers. Therefore, this study utilized ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) technology, combined with Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) and multivariate statistical analysis, for the qualitative and discriminant analysis of marigold oleoresin obtained from three different regions. Firstly, 83 compounds were identified in these marigold oleoresin samples. Furthermore, the results of a principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) indicated significant differences in the chemical compositions of the marigold oleoresin samples from different regions. Finally, 12, 23, and 38 differential metabolites were, respectively, identified by comparing the marigold oleoresin from Africa with Xinjiang, Africa with India, and Xinjiang with India. In summary, these results can be used to distinguish marigold oleoresin samples from different regions, laying a solid foundation for further quality control and providing a theoretical basis for assessing its safety and nutritional aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel halotolerant actinobacterium, designated as RG38T, capable of producing black extracellular melanin pigment on SP2 agar, was isolated from the roots of Tagetes patula. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed the highest similarity to Streptomyces collinus NBRC 12759T (99.3%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain RG38T clustered within the genus Streptomyces forming a monophyletic cluster with its close relatives. The average nucleotide identity (ANI), digital DNA-- DNA hybridization (dDDH), and amino-acid identity (AAI) values between strain RG38T and related species within the genus Streptomyces were below the standard threshold for prokaryotic species delineation. The DNA G + C content of the strain RG38T was determined to be 73.3%. The genome size measured 7,150,598 bp comprising 17 contigs and encompassed 6,053 protein coding genes. AntiSMASH analysis of the whole genome revealed 35 putative biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) responsible for various secondary metabolites. Among these clusters, two gene clusters exhibited 100% similarity to the chromomycin A3, albaflavenone, and anthracimycin, respectively. These compounds were reported to possess significant anticancer and antibacterial activities. LC--MS-based analysis, coupled with further isolation studies, confirmed the production of chromomycins A2 (1), A3 (2), and their derivatives, along with their antibiotic activities. These findings underscore the potential of this novel strain as a novel resource for the discovery of diverse antimicrobial compounds. This study is the first to report an antimicrobial compound producing Streptomyces species isolated from medicinal plant T. patula. Based on a polyphasic study, the strain RG38T isolated from an unexplored habitat with a high potential for new natural products represents a novel species within the genus Streptomyces. Accordingly, we propose the name Streptomyces tagetis sp. nov. for this novel species, with the type strain is RG38T (=KCTC 49624T = BRC 15113T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tagetes imbricata, a species recently described from Argentina and Bolivia, is reported here for the first time from Peru based on herbaria collections and field observations available at biodiversity online repositories. This new record significantly expands the distribution area of this species to the north, covering a total of more than 2000 kilometers along the Andes Mountains. An illustration for T. imbricata is here provided for the first time, detailing morphological aspects. Two vernacular names, "kita-chick-chipa" and "chichijsa", are reported for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marigold is a plant native to the Mediterranean region, belonging to the Asteraceae family, and has been cultivated as a medicinal and ornamental plant all over the world for centuries. Due to its long flowering period, it is important to determine the appropriate harvest interval and date. This study was performed in the Research Area of Çukurova University in the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 growing seasons, with an aim to investigate the influence of different harvest intervals (4-, 8-, and 12-day harvest intervals for the flowers) and harvest dates (8-day interval for the seeds) on the flower and seed yield and quality traits of marigold. The highest total flower yield (7519.8 kg/ha; harvest at 4-day intervals) and seed yield (595.6 kg/ha; 1st harvest) were obtained in the 1st growing season. The highest seed fixed oil ratio (12.86 %) was obtained in June, and the highest flower essential oil ratio (0.18 %) was obtained in May. Of the 38 components in the essential oil, α-Cadinol (22.59 %–30.10 %), δ-Cadinene (9.88 %–13.79 %), τ-Muurolol (6.58 %–8.20 %), γ-Cadinene (4.80 %–7.15 %), and γ-Muurolene (4.15 %–4.82 %) were determined as the main components. Six fatty acids were detected in the fixed oil and the main components were determined as α-calendic acid (22.07 %–49.41 %), linoleic acid (28.31 %–37.85 %), and oleic acid (7.18 %–30.06 %). The highest α-calendic acid ratios were detected in June and decreased as the harvests were delayed. Consequently, the application of harvesting at 4-day intervals for increased flower number and harvesting seeds early due to the high α-calendic acid rate can be considered as a feasible approach. [Display omitted] • At 32 °C, both the flower number and diameter values decreased rapidly. • The flower diameter values significantly affected the fresh flower yield values. • The heteromorphism ratio in the marigold seeds varied according to the harvest times. • Plants stressed by the effects of rising temperatures formed smaller capitula. • The α-calendic acid ratio tended to decrease with increasing temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientific Journal of Agricultural Sciences (SJAS) is the property of Beni Suef University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Scientific Journal of Agricultural Sciences (SJAS) is the property of Beni Suef University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) is an aromatic plant known for its repellent effects on pests. It is traditionally grown in fields near many vegetable crops, including potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). However, the effects of marigold essential oil (EO) on the physiology of neighboring crops have been neglected in research. The aim of this study was to establish, for the first time, a comprehensive phytohormone profile of potato plants exposed to French marigold EO for different time periods (4, 8 and 12 h). Endogenous levels of all major phytohormone groups, determined by HPLC–MS analysis, showed altered phytohormone responses of EO-exposed potato plants. The most affected were stress-related phytohormones: abscisic acid–glucose ester, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, and jasmonic acid. Increased levels of jasmonic acid, cytokinins, storage form of abscisic acid together with decreased levels of indole-3-acetic acid and ethylene precursor were observed. In most of the analyzed phytohormone groups similar response pattern was observed—an increase in levels after short time exposure (4 h), followed by a decrease to control values after prolonged exposure (8 h and 12 h). Expression levels of genes involved in biosynthesis and catabolism of stress-related phytohormones, obtained by de novo bioinformatic processing of data from cDNA microarray analysis, revealed that jasmonic acid biosynthetic pathway was the most affected, with the highest number of altered transcripts and with one of the genes from this pathway (12-oxophytodienoate reductase 1-like) exhibiting the highest expression rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize the yield and biochemical response of lavender to polyamines (PAs) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation under intercropping with marigold. The application of both putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) was found to be effective even at low doses (500 mg/L), with Spd at a dose of 1500 mg/L (Spd3M1) being the most effective in promoting flowering and essential oil (EO) content. However, the highest values of flower yield, EO content, and EO yield were recorded when the plants inoculated with AMF were sprayed with PAs. Chemical compounds analyzed by the GC-MS technique revealed the presence of 40 individual compounds accounting for more than 98.91% of them. We observed a positive response (increase) in the content of linalool, limonene, and geraniol for PAs application and fungal inoculation. The highest increase in these compounds was recorded in 1500 mg/L Put or Spd with AMF treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drastic boom in floriculture and social events in religious and recreational places has inevitably led to generation of tremendous floral waste across the globe. Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is one of the most common loose flowers offered for the same. Generally discarded, these Tagetes floral wastes could be valorized for biogenic syntheses. In this study, we have utilized the floral extract towards green synthesis of nano ZnO, the formation of which was affirmed from different analytical techniques. Bionanocomposite Schiff-base hydrogel composed of chitosan and dialdehyde pectin was fabricated by the facile strategy of in situ polymer cross-linking, and the ZnO nanoparticles were embedded in the hydrogel matrix. The hydrogel exhibited remarkable self-healing ability. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were enhanced owing to nano ZnO. Furthermore, it was hemocompatible and biodegradable. A controlled release drug profile for 5-fluorouracil from the hydrogel was accomplished in the colorectum. The exposure of the drug-loaded nanocomposite hydrogel demonstrated improved anticancer effects in HT-29 colon cancer cells. The findings of this study altogether put forth the successful biovalorization of Tagetes floral waste extract for colon cancer remedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tagetes minuta is a valuable medicinal plant with various uses, such as spice herb, traditional medicine, and a natural herbicide. • The study identified and quantified the secondary metabolites of T. minuta using colorimetric assays and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS). • The major classes of secondary metabolites identified in T. minuta were Phenolic acids, Flavonoids, Fatty acids, and Coumarins. • Ethanol extracts of T. minuta demonstrated higher antioxidant content, activity, and cytotoxicity against HepG2 and Vero cell lines, highlighting their pharmacological potential. The complexity of secondary metabolites in different medicinal plants, including Tagetes minuta , defines the general properties and uses of the plant. Tagetes minuta is reportedly a valuable medicinal plant that has long been used as a spice herb, medicine, a natural herbicide for weeds, and pest control in agriculture. In this study, the secondary metabolite profiles of the water and aqueous ethanol extracts of T. minuta were profiled through identification and quantification using colorimetric assays and a Waters Synapt G2 Quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer (MS) connected to a Waters Acquity ultra-performance liquid chromatograph (UPLC). The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated with 2,2-Azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate and ferric reducing antioxidant power, as well as their toxicity on HepG2 (cancerous) and Vero (non-cancerous) cell lines. The major classes of secondary metabolites identified and quantified were phenolic acids (benzoic acids and hydroxycinnamic acids), flavonoids (chalcones, flavonols, flavanols, and flavones), fatty acids, coumarins and furanocoumarins. The bioavailability of these secondary metabolites is influenced by the polarity of the solvent of extraction. Extracts from aqueous ethanol showed higher secondary metabolites, corresponding to antioxidant content and activity as well as cytotoxicity in HepG2 and Vero cells, compared to the water extract. This study presents a comprehensive phytochemical knowledge of secondary metabolites, primarily phenolic compounds, identified in T. minuta, which can pave the way for future studies on the pharmacological importance and standardisation of the medicinal uses of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to investigate the potential of four biocontrol agents (BCAs), namely Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma viride, and T. harzianum, individually and in combination with sodium nitrophenolate (SN) to control marigold powdery mildew. The results showed that all treatments led to a significant inhibition in the conidial germination of Golovinomyces cichoracearum in vitro. Maximum inhibition was recorded by T. harzianum (1×109 CFU mL-1) + SN (1.5%), followed by T. viride + SN, and B. megaterium + SN at the same concentrations as follows: 83.6, 79.1, and 70.6%, respectively. While the lowest inhibition (20.4%) was recorded by P. fluorescens (1×105 CFU mL-1). In the greenhouse, all treatments applied significantly reduced the disease severity and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). The combination treatments had a better disease control response than individual treatments. Similar results were achieved in the field, where disease severity reduced to 9.2 and 10.3% in plants treated with T. harzianum + SN in the first and second seasons, respectively, compared to 40.2 and 44.1% in control in both seasons. Likewise, AUDPC reduced to 274 and 315 in plants treated with T. harzianum + SN in the first and second seasons, respectively, compared to 1207 and 1340 in control in both seasons. The treatments improved growth and productivity characteristics, as well as photosynthetic pigments, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, while significantly reducing free proline (FP). In conclusion, BCAs applied individually or in combination with SN can be used effectively to suppress powdery mildew of marigold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tagetes erecta is an edible flower deeply rooted in traditional Mexican culture. It holds a central role in the most popular and iconic Mexican celebration, "the Day of the Dead". Furthermore, it is currently receiving interest as a potential therapeutic agent, motivated mainly by its polyphenol content. The present study aims to evaluate the biological activity of an extract synthesized from the petals of the edible flower T. erecta. This extract showed significant antioxidant scores measured by the most common in vitro methodologies (FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH), with values of 1475.3 μM trolox/g extr, 1950.3 μM trolox/g extr, and 977.7 μM trolox/g extr, respectively. In addition, up to 36 individual polyphenols were identified by chromatography. Regarding the biomedical aspects of the petal extract, it exhibited antitumoral activity against ovarian carcinoma cells evaluated by the MTS assay, revealing a lower value of IC50 compared to other flower extracts. For example, the extract from T. erecta reported an IC50 value half as low as an extract from Rosa × hybrida and six times lower than another extract from Tulbaghia violacea. This antitumoral effect of T. erecta arises from the induction of the apoptotic process; thus, incubating ovarian carcinoma cells with the petal extract increased the rate of apoptotic cells measured by flow cytometry. Moreover, the extract also demonstrated efficacy as a therapeutic agent against tauopathy, a feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the Caenorhabditis elegans experimental model. Treating worms with the experimental extract prevented disfunction in several motility parameters such as wavelength and swimming speed. Furthermore, the T. erecta petal extract prevented the release of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are associated with the progression of AD. Thus, treatment with the extract resulted in an approximate 20% reduction in ROS production. These findings suggest that these petals could serve as a suitable source of polyphenols for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous catalysts have an edge over homogeneous catalysts for the production of biodiesel due to limitations like nonrenewable nature, reusability, separation, saponification, equipment corrosion, and washing. The potential of marigold petals as an excellent bio-based catalyst was derived and utilized in the present study to produce sustainable palm oil methyl ester. The dried marigold petals are burned to produce ash, then calcined (800°C, 2 h) to prepare the catalyst. SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and BET characterized the prepared calcined catalyst. The reported catalyst consists of a high percentage of potassium oxide and calcium oxide with a basic strength within 12.1

Today, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and drought stress are the biggest challenges of agriculture. New research has shown that the alternative use of amino acids reduces the harmful effects of using chemical fertilizers. Hence, the effect of elicitors was studied on the physiological traits of marigolds in a two-factor factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was the foliar application of elicitors (arginine, glutamine, and estradiol) at 8 levels and the second factor was irrigation at three levels (1 day, 3 days, and 6 days). The trial traits were total soluble solids (TSS), electrolyte leakage, relative water content, chlorophyll content, and flower and leaf characteristics. The analysis of variance showed that the interaction of the foliar application and water deficit stress was significant for leaf and flower °Brix index, leaf area, and chlorophyll b at the P < 0.01 and for total chlorophyll and shoot fresh weight at the P < 0.05. The highest leaf total soluble solids (°Brix) were obtained from glutamine × 6-day irrigation interval, the highest flower °Brix from glutamine + estradiol × 1-day irrigation interval, the highest leaf area from glutamine + estradiol × 3-day irrigation interval. Glutamine + estradiol × 1-day irrigation interval caused to the highest chlorophyll b content, while the highest total chlorophyll content obtained from the control, and the highest shoot fresh weight from arginine + glutamine × 6-day irrigation interval. Finally, it was revealed that glutamine outperformed arginine and estradiol in improving the studied traits. In water stress conditions, some traits like total soluble solids increased, but leaf area decreased. In general, the application of amino acids was effective in improving the growth traits of marigolds. Glutamine is superior to arginine and estradiol in improving the studied traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to extract lutein from marigold petals by the ultrasound assisted extraction employing surfactant based aqueous solution. In this study the effect of various parameters i.e. different biocompatible surfactants, temperature, extraction time, pulse mode (ON/OFF), ultrasonicator power, solid/liquid (S/L) ratio, surfactant concentration were investigated. Under the optimum conditions (temperature: 35 °C, extraction time: 20 min, pulse mode (ON/OFF): 20 s ON/OFF, surfactant concentration: 1 % (v/v), S/L: 7.5, ultrasonicator power: 370 W), the maximum lutein content of 12.18 ± 0.39 mg/g was obtained. Further, the comparative study was done for the conventional extraction (CE) and the ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE), both using surfactants aqueous solution as solvent for the extraction of lutein. The results revealed that the amount of lutein obtained using UAE method was notably higher than the CE method. Furthermore, CE and UAE methods were compared in terms of their environmental impact by life cycle assessment approach. Global warming potential (GWP) was found to be lower for UAE (0.91 kg CO2/kg of lutein extract) than CE (1.55 kg CO2/kg of lutein extract). An antioxidant activity of lutein extract was studied using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The results revealed that lutein can be extracted by UAE without affecting the antioxidant activity of lutein extract. The aforesaid results suggest that UAE employing surfactant based aqueous solution method is suitable for the extraction of lutein from marigold petals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research was to evaluate the antifungal activity of a prototype biofungicide with antifungal and fertilizing activity, in the variants, combinations of plant extracts of skinduf and tagetes, steroidal glycoalkaloids from tomato, camelina oil and protein hydrolyzate, on the mycelial growth of the fungus Fusarium spp. The research followed in vitro mycelial growth at 3, 6, 9, 12 days by measuring the diameter of the colonies and determining the average value. The effectiveness of the variants of the prototype was calculated and it was found that the highest value of the effectiveness, over 50%, was recorded on vegetative growth up to 9 days of observation, for both variants. After 12 days of observation, the effectiveness decreased, reaching 19.55% in variants with tagetes extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the impact of marigold and spirulina, both in isolation and in conjunction with one another, was analyzed on several indicators relating to growth, immunity, survival, and levels of astaxanthin present in zebrafish tissue. 120 zebrafish were randomly allocated to 10 litre aquariums across four different treatment groups (with three replications in each group, each containing 30 fish). The control diet is based on the basic diet, the second treatment diet contains 25 g/kg of spirulina powder (SP) on the basic diet, the third treatment diet contains 25 g/kg of marigold powder (MG) on the basic diet, and the fourth treatment diet It also contains 25 grams of marigold powder (MG) and 25 grams of spirulina (SP+MG)/kg of the basic feed. At the end of the experiment, some immune indicators and astaxanthin were checked in the tissue. The results of this study show the significant effect of spirulina (SP), marigold powder (MG), and the combination of spirulina and marigold powder (SP+MG) on immunity, and astaxanthin. Especially the marigold and the combined treatment of spirulina and marigold showed better performance (P<0.05). respectively, SP+MG and MG treatment significantly increased total protein, lysozyme, and astaxanthin in fish tissue, and the highest amount of IgM was observed in MG treatment (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in relation to growth and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the ongoing scarcity of copper resources globally, the extraction of copper from waste rocks has become an unavoidable necessity. This study investigated the phytoextraction of copper from low-grade chalcocite (LGC) ore using Tagetes sp. Therefore, the LGC and the garden soil mixtures, with different percentages, were utilized to achieve the optimum condition in 4 weeks. Mixing 50% LGC with 50% soil results in the best uptake value and translocation factor (TF) of 0.42 mg and 1.02, with shoot and root weights of 3.78 and 1.02 g, respectively. However, the highest BCFShoot (bio-concentration factor) and BCFRoot values are 0.65 and 1.66, with shoot and root weights of 2.65 g and 0.5 g, respectively, using 25% LGC + 75% soil. Therefore, at the proportion of 25% of the LGC, it can be concluded that the plant is a moderate accumulator and hyperaccumulator, respectively, for the shoot and root. Both proportions of 25% of the LGC and 50% of the LGC can be selected as optimum conditions for the mixture. If the target is the highest Cu accumulation in the above-ground tissues, the mixture containing 50% LGC should be selected. However, if harvesting the plant roots is possible, the mixture of 25% LGC + 75% soil has a better result because of the highest Cu concentration in the roots. Hence, Tagetes sp. exhibits the capability for extracting copper from low-grade chalcocite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tagetes erecta and Ocimum basilicum are medicinal plants that exhibit anti-inflammatory effects against various diseases. However, their individual and combined effects on osteoarthritis (OA) are unknown. Herein, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of T. erecta, O. basilicum, and their mixture, WGA-M001, on OA pathogenesis. The administration of total extracts of T. erecta and O. basilicum reduced cartilage degradation and inflammation without causing cytotoxicity. Although WGA-M001 contained lower concentrations of the individual extracts, it strongly inhibited the expression of pathogenic factors. In vivo OA studies also supported that WGA-M001 had protective effects against cartilage destruction at lower doses than those of T. erecta and O. basilicum. Moreover, its effects were stronger than those observed using Boswellia and Perna canaliculus. WGA-M001 effectively inhibited the interleukin (IL)-1β-induced nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of the activated B cell (NF-κB) pathway and ERK phosphorylation. Furthermore, RNA-sequence analysis also showed that WGA-M001 decreased the expression of genes related to the IL-1β-induced NF-κB and ERK signaling pathways. Therefore, WGA-M001 is more effective than the single total extracts of T. erecta and O. basilicum in attenuating OA progression by regulating ERK and NF-κB signaling. Our results open new possibilities for WGA-M001 as a potential therapeutic agent for OA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marigold (Tagetes erecta L., African marigold) is a widely grown ornamental plant and a main source of the carotenoid lutein for the industrial production of pharmaceuticals, food coloring, and feed additives. To gain a deeper understanding of the genetic mechanism of lutein in marigold, a chromosome-scale assembly of the marigold (T. erecta V-01) genome was completed based on Illumina, PacBio, and Hi-C reads. The 707.21-Mb assembled genome consisted of 35 834 annotated protein-coding genes, with 97.7% genomic integrity. We anchored 87.8% of the contigs (covering 621.20 Mb) to 12 pseudochromosomes, bringing the scaffold N50 length to 54.15 Mb. Phylogenetic analysis showed that marigold was closely related to the Asteraceae species bitter vine (Mikania micrantha) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus), all three of which originated in the Americas. Marigold diverged from the sunflower clade 23.57 million years ago (MYA) and from M. micrantha 19.59 MYA. Marigold has undergone three whole-genome duplication events, as well as a recent whole-genome duplication event (WGD-2) common to H. annuus and M. micrantha. Marigold gene families were significantly less expanded than those of M. micrantha or H. annuus, and the marigold genome contained significantly fewer interspersed repeats, which might account for its smaller genome. In addition, a range of candidate genes involved in the lutein biosynthetic pathway were identified. The high-quality reference genome obtained in this study provided a valuable genomic resource for studying the evolution of the Asteraceae family and for improving marigold breeding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of different types of xanthophyll extracted from marigold on the growth performance, skin color, and carcass pigmentation. Methods: A total of 192 healthy 60-day-old yellow-feathered broilers weighing an average of 1,279±81 g were randomly allocated to 4 groups, each with 6 replicates and 8 broilers. The 4 treatments were as follows: i) CON group, fed with basal diet; ii) LTN group, supplemented with lutein; iii) MDP group, supplemented with monohydroxyl pigment including dehydrated lutein, ß-cryptoxanthin, and a-cryptoxanthin; iv) LTN+MDP group, supplemented with lutein and monohydroxyl pigment in proportion to 1:1. The supplementary content of LTN, MDP, and LTN+MDP was 2 g/kg. Skin color was measured after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of feeding the dietary treatments. The breast, thigh, and abdominal fat of slaughtered chickens were stored in cold storage at 4°C for 24 hours and then the meat color of lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) values was determined. Results: The results showed that all treatments enhanced the yellow scores of subwing skin on day 14, 21, and 28 (p<0.05), and the mixture of lutein and monohydroxyl pigment promoted the yellow scores of shanks on day 14, 21, and 28 (p<0.05). The mixture of lutein and monohydroxyl pigment increased the yellow scores of beaks and all treatments enhanced the yellow of shanks on day 28 (p<0.05). In addition, all treatments improved the yellow (b*) values of breast and thigh muscle, moreover, the monohydroxyl pigment and the mixture of lutein and monohydroxyl pigment enhanced the values of redness (a*) and yellow (b*) of abdominal fat (p<0.05). Conclusion: In summary, different types of xanthophyll extracted from marigold significantly increased the yellow scores of skin color and the yellow (b*) values of carcass pigmentation. Especially, the mixture of lutein and monohydroxyl pigment was more efficient on skin color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is an increasing problem worldwide that limits crop production. The cultivation of salt-tolerant flowers is a potential sustainable strategy for the exploitation of saline soils while avoiding the use of freshwater resources. However, our understanding of how flowers can adapt to salinity is still limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of salinity on a widely-used ornamental plant (Tagetes patula) by submitting three cultivars (cv. Aurora Orange, Fireball, Safari Scarlet) to different salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 300 mM). The plants were grown under controlled conditions and followed over two weeks. We tested the effect of salinity on plant growth and flower production, as well as on the levels of total carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase activity, ascorbate peroxidase). The findings indicate a substantial decline in both plant growth and flower production under saline conditions. Overall, plant height was ¼ lower, and there were 1/3 less flowers under salinity. Additionally, there was a consistent rise in antioxidant compounds, highlighting the swift response of defense mechanisms, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic, to combat stress. The high levels of antioxidant compounds sustain the use of marigold flowers as a new source of nutritional compounds, with enriched nutritional contents. Yet, cultivation of these plants in saline conditions should carefully consider the pronounced adverse effects observed at high salinity levels (e.g., 100 and 300 mM) on both plant and flower production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluated the effect of methanol and water extracts of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), wild marigold (Tagetes minuta L.), and garlic (Allium sativum L.) at 50 mg·mL−1 applied at different frequencies (weekly, biweekly, and monthly) on the control of potato bacterial wilt under field conditions (two growing seasons in 2021). Weekly and biweekly application of methanol extracts from tobacco and wild marigold showed higher efficacy of biological control of the pathogen (58% and 57%) on aerial parts of potato plants than monthly application (48%). In potato tubers, weekly and biweekly application of methanol extracts caused higher biological control efficacy (75.92% and 67.39%) than monthly application (52.49%). Weekly and biweekly application of methanol extracts of tobacco and wild marigold also reduced postharvest infection and postharvest yield losses caused by potato bacterial wilt during the storage period, among other treatments. These experiments conclude that weekly or biweekly application of methanol extract from tobacco and wild marigold at 50 mg·mL−1 is a practical approach to control potato bacterial wilt in the field and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]