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.
Description:
Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Department of Drug Technology, Scientific Center for Cultivation of Medicinal Plants Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, The 75th anniversary of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova (1945-2020)
