ANATOMICAL, PHYSICOCHEMICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL INVESTIGATIONS OF TAGETES MINUTA L. AERIAL PARTS

Tagetes minuta L., which grows in different regions of Yemen, is used to treat skin diseases and has not been adequately studied, so the aim of the present research is to evaluate its anatomical, physicochemical, phytochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of its aerial parts, using accepted standard methods. The microscopic and physicochemical parameters were determined. Phytochemical analysis was performed on petroleum ether, 80% methanol and water extracts, and carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes and sterols were identified. The total phenolic content was found to be 205.14 and 91.2 mg/g gallic acid equivalent and the total flavonoid content was found to be 106.46 and 18.15 mg/g quercetin equivalent of the dry extract of 80% methanol and aqueous extracts, respectively. The antioxidant activity was determined by using in vitro DPPH method. The IC50 values of quercetin, petroleum ether, 80% methanolic and water extracts were found to be 13.54, 151.04, 21.36 and 47.31 µg/ml respectively, so the 80% methanolic extract showed very high antioxidant activity compared to quercetin. The antimicrobial activity was tested by using well diffusion method, all concentrations used for the 80% methanolic extract showed very high antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris, while they showed significant of inhibition zone against Klebsilla pneumoniae, and Candid albicans. All concentrations used for the aqueous extract showed appearance of inhibition zone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, while no effect was shown against the Klebsiella pneumoniae, proteus vulgaris and Candid albicans. The above results indicate that the aerial parts of Tagetes minuta could be a useful natural antioxidant and antibacterial agent, and may be used for further study on the plant.