Determination of carotenoids in extracts from species of Tagetes and Calendula

Abstract

Background: Carotenoids have played a significant role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The most studied in this regard is β-carotene, present in species of Tagetes and Calendula genus. Objective of the study: Comparative analysis of β-carotene content in liquid and dry flowers extracts of Tagetes and Calendula species, cultivated in the collection of the Scientific Center for the Cultivation of Medicinal Plants of Nicolae Testemitanu SUMPh. Material and methods: Dry extracts of flowers harvested in the budding-flowering phase, were obtained by repeated maceration and rotary evaporation, subjected to phytochemical evaluation by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and UV-VIS spectrophotometry, equivalent to β-carotene. Results: Beta-carotene was identified by TLC in hexan-ethyl acetate (50:50, v/v), retention factors were established. Caratenoid content (mg%) varied as follows: in T. patula L. (75.34±2.15), T. erecta L. (21.97±0.84), C. officinalis L. variety Natali (13.09±3.23), C. officinalis L. variety Diana (12.39±1.98), C. officinalis L. local population (10.99±0.06). The carotenoids content ranged in the dry extracts as well, determined in the highest amount in T. patula L. flowers (137.87±2.18 mg%). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the opportunity for further research of Tagetes and Calendula varieties that could serve as sources of carotenoids for obtaining antioxidant phyto-pharmaceuticals.