Alantolactone profile in Tagetes Erecta aerial parts

Abstract

The genus Tagetes (Asteraceae) comprises species with a wide arrays of uses. Previous studies have been focused on the distribution of flavonoids in the genus but little has been done on the identification of the sesquiterpenlactones in the medicinal, cosmetic and aromatic species. The significance of the distribution and accumulation of this compound thorough the plant is not yet clear. In the current study, the alantolactone content of aerial parts of Tagetes erecta was investigated, during budding and full flowering stages. The TLC and HPLC methods confirmed the presence of alantolactones, greater in budding stage sampes than in full flowering ones (0.2309 μg % in buds, 0.5097 μg % in leaves). The fertilized plant inflorescences contain greater amounts of studied metabolites than unfertilized plants. The leaves content is not influenced by fertilization. The presence of this metabolite alerts to the allergenic potential of plant, especially in budding stage