Long-Lasting Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized with Tagetes erecta and Their Antibacterial Activity against Erwinia amylovora, a Serious Rosaceous Pathogen.

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.

Evaluation of phytoconstituents in marigold effluent for their antifungal activity against plant pathogens.

The current study placed an intense emphasis on the excess discharge of agro-based 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.

Vertical Migration of Second-stage Juveniles of Meloidogyne enterolobii as Influenced by Temperature and Host.

Infective second-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne spp. migrate towards host roots, which depends on several factors, including root exudates and soil temperature. Although Meloidogyne enterolobii is a highly virulent nematode that affects major agricultural crops worldwide, there is limited ecological data about it. The objective of this study was to determine the J2 migration pattern vertically in 14-cm long segmented soil columns towards tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and marigold (Tagetes patula) roots, each grown at two soil temperatures (20 or 26ºC). Bottomless cups with tomatoes or marigolds were attached to the top of each column; cups with no plants were used as untreated controls. Juveniles (1,000/column) were injected into a hole located 1 cm from the bottom of each column. The apparatuses were placed in growth chambers at 20 or 26ºC, and J2 were allowed to migrate for 3, 6, 9, or 12 days after injection (DAI). At each harvest, J2 were extracted from each ring of the columns and counted to compare their distribution, and root systems were stained to observe root penetration. M. enterolobii migrated over 13 cm vertically 3 DAI regardless of temperature, even without plant stimuli. The vertical migration was greater at 26ºC, where 60% of active J2 were found at distances >13 cm at 12 DAI. Temperature did not affect root penetration. Overall, a greater number of J2 was observed in tomato roots, and root penetration increased over time.

Inhibition of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanogenesis and molecular mechanisms by polyphenol-enriched fraction of Tagetes erecta L. flower.

BACKGROUND: The pursuit for safe and efficacious skin-whitening agents has prompted a dedicated exploration of plant-derived compounds. Notably, Tagetes erecta L. flowers have been used as a medicinal extract and possessed in vitro mushroom tyrosinase activity. However, whether polyphenol-enriched fraction extracted from T. erecta L. flowers (TE) regulates melanogenesis within cellular and animal models has not yet been investigated. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of TE as a prospective inhibitor of melanogenesis. METHODS: Through advanced UPLC-QTof/MS analysis, the components of TE were analyzed. Anti-melanogenic effects of TE were evaluated in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells by measuring cell viability assay, extracellular and intracellular melanin biosynthesis, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production, and melanogenesis-related gene and protein expression. Zebrafish larvae were employed for in vivo studies, assessing both heart rate and melanogenesis. Furthermore, molecular docking analyses were employed to predict the interaction between TE components and the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Direct binding activity of TE components to MC1R was compared with [Nle4, d-Phe7]-MSH (NDP-MSH). RESULTS: TE was found to contain significant phenolic compounds such as patulitrin, quercetagetin, kaempferol, patuletin, and isorhamnetin. This study revealed that TE effectively inhibits melanin biosynthesis in both in vitro and in vivo models. This inhibition was attributed to interference of TE with the cAMP-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)-tyrosinase pathway, which plays a pivotal role in regulating melanogenesis. Importantly, TE exhibited the remarkable ability to curtail α-MSH-induced melanogenesis in zebrafish larvae without impacting heart rates. Molecular docking analyses predicted that the components of TE possibly interact with the melanocortin 1 receptor, suggesting their role as potential inhibitors of melanin biosynthesis. However, through the direct binding activity compared with NDP-MSH, any TE components did not directly bind to MC1R, suggesting that TE inhibits α-MSH-induced melanogenesis by inhibiting the cAMP-mediated intracellular signaling pathway. The assessment of anti-melanogenic activity, conducted both in vitro and in vivo, revealed that patulitrin and patuletin exhibited significant inhibitory effects on melanin formation, highlighting their potency as major contributors. DISCUSSION: This investigation demonstrated the considerable potential of TE as a natural remedy endowed with remarkable anti-melanogenic properties. The demonstrated capacity of TE to attenuate melanin production by modulating the cAMP-CREB-MITF-tyrosinase pathway underscores its central role in management of disorders associated with excessive pigmentation. Importantly, the implications of these findings extend to the cosmetics industry, where TE emerges as a prospective and valuable ingredient for the formulation of skin-whitening products. The elucidated interactions between TE components and MC1R not only provide insight into a potential mechanism of action but also elevate the significance of this study. In summary, this study not only contributes to our comprehension of pigmentation-related conditions but also firmly establishes TE as a secure and natural strategy for the regulation of melanin production. The innovative aspects of TE propel it into the forefront of potential interventions, marking a noteworthy advancement in the pursuit of effective and safe solutions for pigmentation disorders.

Phytoextraction of copper from copper waste rock by Tagetes sp.

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.

WGA-M001, a Mixture of Total Extracts of Tagetes erecta and Ocimum basilicum, Synergistically Alleviates Cartilage Destruction by Inhibiting ERK and NF-κB Signaling.

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)-1ß-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-1ß-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.

Cytotoxic and Antitumor Effects of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Tagetes erecta in Lung Cancer Cells.

Among all cancers, lung cancer is the one with the highest mortality rate, and it also has limited therapeutics. Antitumor agents based on medicinal plants have gained importance as a source of bioactive substances. Tagetes erecta is a plant of great cultural value, and recent reports have suggested its cytotoxic effects in tumor cells. Our objective was to evaluate the antitumor activity of Tagetes erecta extract in a lung carcinoma model. Hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained from fresh flowers and leaves of T. erecta; both extracts did not exert toxicity on Artemia salina. We observed cytotoxic effects induced by the floral extract in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and breast tumor cell line (MCF7), but not by the leaf extract. In vivo, a xenograft lung carcinoma model was performed with LLC cells implanted on C57BL/6 mice, which showed that the floral extract reduced tumor growth and improved the effect of etoposide. Microscopic analysis of tumors showed a reduction in mitoses and an increase in necrotic areas with the extract and the etoposide. The main phytochemical compounds found are 2,3-dihydro-benzofuran, octadecanoic acid, benzenacetic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and acetic acid. We conclude that the hydroalcoholic extract of T. erecta flowers has cytotoxic effects in lung carcinoma cells and enhances the effect of etoposide.

Quantitative Profiling of Carotenoids, Tocopherols, Phytosterols, and Fatty Acids in the Flower Petals of Ten Marigold (Tagetes spp. L.) Cultivars.

Marigold (Tagetes spp.) flower petals are the most vital sources of carotenoids, especially lutein esters, for the production of natural lutein to use for food, feed, and pharmaceutical industries. Several marigold cultivars are cultivated globally; however, their lutein ester composition and contents have not been widely investigated. Considering this, this study aimed to identify and quantify prominent carotenoid esters from the flower petals of ten marigold cultivars by liquid chromatography (LC)-diode-array detection (DAD)-mass spectrometry (MS). In addition, tocopherols, phytosterols, and fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization detection (FID) and GC-MS. Furthermore, the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•+) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical scavenging abilities of lipophilic extracts were determined. The total carotenoid contents varied significantly (p < 0. 05, Tukey HSD) among cultivars, ranging from 25.62 (cv. Alaska)-2723.11 µg/g fresh weight (cv. Superboy Orange). Among the five major lutein-diesters, (all-E)-lutein-3-O-myristate-3'-O-palmitate and lutein dipalmitate were predominant. Among the studied cultivars, α-tocopherol was recorded, ranging from 167.91 (cv. Superboy Yellow) to 338.50 µg/g FW (cv. Taishan Orange). Among phytosterols, ß-sitosterol was the most prevalent phytosterol, ranging between 127.08 (cv. Superboy Yellow) and 191.99 µg/g FW (cv. Taishan Yellow). Palmitic acid (C16:0; 33.36-47.43%) was the most dominant among the fatty acids. In this study, the highest contents of lutein were recorded from cv. Superboy Orange; however, due to the substantially higher flower petal yield, the cv. Durango Red can produce the highest lutein yield of 94.45 kg/ha. These observations suggest that cv. Durango Red and cv. Superboy Orange are the ideal candidates for lutein fortification in foods and also for commercial lutein extraction.

Carotenoid-derived norsesquiterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids from Tagetes erecta L.

Tagetes erecta L. (marigold), a common landscaping flower widely cultivated in America, Africa, Asia and Europe, is the fundamental source of carotenoids (especially lutein) in food and pharmaceutical industry. Carotenoids are well-known to possess various healthy and beneficial biological activities such as eye protection, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory. In our exploitation of carotenoid-derived products from T. erecta, nine previously undescribed compounds including seven megastigmane-type norsesquiterpenoids (1-7), one carotenoid-derived sesquiterpenoid (8), and one natural 3-hydroxyl-α-ionylideneacetic acid derivative (9), along with twelve known compounds (10-21), were afforded from the 95% ethanol extract of the petals of T. erecta. Their planar chemical structures and the absolute configurations were established by analysis of the extensive spectroscopic data including HRESI-MS, 1D/2D NMR and the simulation of ECD. Further, a plausible biosynthesis pathway for compounds 1-20 is proposed.

Identification and characterization of CYC2-like genes related to floral symmetric development in Tagetes erecta (Asteraceae).

Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an annual herbaceous flower belonging to Asteraceae, whose capitulum is composed of bilateral symmetry ray florets on the outer periphery and radial symmetry disk florets on the inside. The flower symmetry evolution from radial symmetry to bilateral symmetry has changed the morphology, inflorescence architecture and function of florets among several lineages in Asteraceae. Several studies have identified that CYC2 genes in TCP transcription factor family are the key genes regulating the flower morphogenesis, such as corolla symmetry and stamen development. Here, seven TeCYC2 genes were cloned and phylogenetically grouped into the CYC2 branch of TCP transcription family. TeCYC2c and TeCYC2d were found to be expressed specifically in ray florets, TeCYC2b was strongly expressed in both ray and disk florets, TeCYC2g was significantly higher expressed in ray florets than in disk florets, while TeCYC2a, TeCYC2e1 and TeCYC2e2 were significantly expressed in disk florets, according to an examination of the expression profile. Among the ectopic expression lines of seven TeCYC2 genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, the flower symmetry of all transgenic lines was changed from radial symmetry to bilateral symmetry, and only the reproductive growth of TeCYC2c lines was affected. In TeCYC2c transgenic Arabidopsis, the pollen sac was difficult to crack, and the filaments were shorter than the pistils, resulting in a significant decrease in the seed setting rate. All TeCYC2 proteins were localized in the nucleus. Eight pairs of interactions between TeCYC2 proteins were validated by Y2H and BiFC assays, indicating the possibility of TeCYC2 proteins forming homodimers or heterodimers to improve functional specificity. Our findings verified the main regulatory role of TeCYC2c on the development of corollas and stamen in marigold, and analyzed the interaction network of the formation mechanism of floral symmetry in two florets, which provided more insights into the expansion of CYC2 genes in the evolution of Asteraceae inflorescence and contributed to elucidate the complex regulatory network, as well as the molecular breeding concerning flower form diversity in marigold.

Antihypertensive effect of patulitrin and other constituents from Tagetes patula L. (French marigold) in acute L-NAME induced hypertensive rats.

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.

Assessments of Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Potential of Tagetes Flavonoids through In Vitro, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies.

Diabetes is a chronic fast-growing metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose levels. Tagetes minuta L. has been used as a traditional remedy for various illnesses for many years, and, furthermore, its oil is used in the perfume and flavor industries. T. minuta contains various metabolites, such as flavonoids, thiophenes, terpenes, sterols, and phenolics, with varied bioactivities. Flavonoids can inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, such as alpha-amylase, which is a convenient dietary strategy for controlling hyperglycemia. In the current investigation, the isolated flavonoids quercetagetin-6-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside), quercetagetin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, quercetagetin-6-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, minutaside A, patuletin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, quercetagetin-7-methoxy-6-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, tagenols A and B, quercetagetin-3,7-dimethoxy-6-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, patuletin, quercetin-3,6-dimethyl ether, and quercetin-3-methyl ether from T. minuta were assessed for their alpha-amylase inhibition (AAI) efficacy using an in vitro assay, as well as molecular docking, dynamics simulation, and ADMET analyses. Our findings show that quercetagetin-6-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside) (1), quercetagetin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetagetin-6-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), minutaside A (4), patuletin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (5), and quercetagetin-7-methoxy-6-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (6) had a notable AAI capacity (IC50s ranged from 7.8 to 10.1 µM) compared to acarbose (IC50 7.1 µM). Furthermore, these compounds with the highest binding affinity among the tested flavonoids revealed high docking scores for AA (ranging from -12.171 to 13.882 kcal/mol) compared to that of acarbose (-14.668 kcal/mol). In MDS, these compounds were observed to show maximum stability and the greatest binding free energy, suggesting that they may contend with native ligands. In addition, the ADMET analysis showed that these active compounds had a broad span of drug-like, pharmacokinetic, and physicochemical features and did not possess any considerable undesired effects. The current results suggest the potential of these metabolites as AAI candidates. However, further in vivo and mechanistic studies are warranted to specify the efficacy of these metabolites.

Paraburkholderia tagetis sp. nov., a novel species isolated from roots of Tagetes patula enhances the growth and yield of Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato).

A multifunctional, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by flagella, short-rod shaped bacteria, designated strain RG36T was isolated from roots of marigold plant (Tagetes patula) sampled at Dongguk University, Republic of Korea. A 16S rRNA sequences indicated that the closest phylogenetic neighbors were Paraburkholderia acidiphila 7Q-K02T (99.0%) and Paraburkholderia sacchari IPT101T (98.9%) of the family Burkholderiaceae. The draft genome size was 8.52 Mb (63.7% GC). The genome contained 7,381 coding sequences. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of strain RG36T with its most closely related species were only 83.1-88.7 and 27.6-36.7%, respectively. Strain RG36T contained Q-8 as the major respiratory quinone and its main fatty acids (>10%) were C16:0, C17:0 cyclo, C19:0 cyclo ω8c, and summed feature 8 (comprising C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c). Strain RG36T accumulates polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB) and exhibits multiple plant growth-promoting properties including production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, protease, phosphate solubilization, and harboring gene clusters for its multifunctional properties. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of PGPR on the growth of Solanum lycopersicum L. (Tomato). Result also confirmed the ability of strain RG36T to promote tomato plant growth, especially it increases the yield of tomatoes. Structural assessment of the bioplastic by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and GC-MS spectroscopy, which confirmed the structure of the polymer as PHB. Our study revealed the potential of strain RG36T to promote the growth of tomato plant and fruit yield by stimulating the various phytohormones, which could be use as bio-fertilizers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and promotes sustainable agricultural production. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, and genome analysis showed that strain RG36T represents a novel species of the genus Paraburkholderia, for which the name Paraburkholderia tagetis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RG36T (=KACC 22685T = TBRC 15696T).

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Essential Oil Obtained from Chincho (Tagetes elliptica Sm) Leaves Grown in the Peruvian Andes.

The chemical composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of the essential oil from the leaves of Tagetes elliptica Sm., grown in Peru, were studied. The EO was extracted using steam distillation, and its chemical composition was analyzed using GC-MS, while the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the radical, scavenging capacity (DPPH and ABTS assays), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, ferrous ion chelating (FIC) activity, and the Rancimat test. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella infantis was studied using the agar well diffusion method. Twenty-seven compounds were identified in the essential oil, and the major components were cis-tagetenone (37.27%), trans-tagetenone (18.84%), dihydrotagetone (14.38%), and trans-tagetone (5.15%). With regard to antioxidant properties, the IC50 values obtained for the DPPH, ABTS, and FIC assays were 53.37, 46.38, and 22.65 mg/mL, respectively. These values were lower than those obtained for standard butylated hydroxytoluene and ascorbic acid. In the Rancimat test, antioxidant activity was achieved only at high concentration. T. elliptica essential oil showed a marked antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains at all concentrations assayed. This study demonstrated that T. elliptica essential oil could be considered as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobial agents in the food industry.

Phenolic Profile and Cholinesterase Inhibitory Properties of Three Chilean Altiplano Plants: Clinopodium gilliesii (Benth.) Kuntze [Lamiaceae], Mutisia acuminata Ruiz & Pav. var. hirsuta (Meyen) Cabrera, and Tagetes multiflora (Kunth) [Asteraceae].

This research aimed to identify the phenolic profile and composition of the aerial parts of three native species used in traditional medicine in the Andean Altiplano of northern Chile: Clinopodium gilliesii (Benth.) Kuntze [Lamiaceae] (commonly known as Muña-Muña), Mutisia acuminata Ruiz & Pav. var. hirsuta (Meyen) Cabrera [Asteraceae] (commonly known as Chinchircoma), and Tagetes multiflora (Kunth), [Asteraceae] (commonly known as Gracilis), as well as to evaluate their potential inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Polyphenolic enriched-extracts (PEEs) of the species were prepared and analyzed and the main components were quantified using HPLC-DAD. In total, 30 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in all species, including simple phenolics, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavan-3-ols (monomers and polymers), flavanones, and flavonols. In addition, other main phenolics from the extracts were tentatively identified by ESI-MS-MS high-resolution analysis. T. multiflora extract showed the greatest anti-AChE and BChE activity in comparison with C. gilliesii and M. acuminata extracts, being the anti-AChE and BChE activity weak in all extracts in comparison to galantamine control. To comprise to better understand the interactions between cholinesterase enzymes and the main phenolics identified in T. multiflora, molecular docking analysis was conducted.

Efficacy of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) for the treatment of tannery and surgical industry wastewater under citric acid amendment: a lab scale study.

Contamination of land and aquatic ecosystems with heavy metals (HMs) is a global issue having the persistent potential to damage the quality of food and water. In the present study, Tagetes erecta L. plants were used to assess their potential to uptake HMs from wastewater. Plants were grown in soil for 20 days and then transplanted in hydroponic system containing Hoagland nutrient solution. After more than 15 days of growth, plants were then subjected to wastewater from tannery and surgical industries in different concentrations ranging from 25 to 100% in combination of citric acid (5 and 10 mM). After 6 weeks of treatment, plants were collected and segmented into roots, stem, and leaves for characterizing the morphological properties including plant height, roots length, fresh and dry mass of roots, stem, and leaves. For evaluation of the effect of wastewater on the plants, photosynthetic pigments; soluble proteins; reactive oxygen species (ROS); antioxidant enzymes SOD, POD, CAT, and APX; and metal accumulation were analyzed. Application of industrial wastewater revealed a significant effect on plant morphology under wastewater treatments. Overall growth and physiological attributes of plant decreased, and metal accumulation enhanced with increasing concentration of wastewater. Similarly, the production of ROS and antioxidant enzymes were also increased. Chlorophyll, protein content, and enzyme production enhanced with CA (5 and 10 mM) mediation; however, ROS production and EL were reduced. Metals analysis showed that the maximum accumulation of Pb was in roots, while Cr and Ni in the stem which further increased under CA mediation. Overall, the metal accumulation ability was in the order of Pb > Ni > Cr under CA.

Application of chelate GLDA for remediating Cd-contaminated farmlands using Tagetes patula L.

In the present study, via a 180-day field trial, the indicators of soil total cadmium, DTPA-Cd, organic matter, and plant cadmium extraction were tested after the application of chelate tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (GLDA) to investigate the potential of GLDA combined with Tagetes patula L. to remediate cadmium-contaminated soil. To do so, five GLDA treatments (e.g., 0, 292.5, 585, 1170, and 2340 kg hm-2) were practiced. For each treatment, the total GLDA was divided into two applications with 15-day intervals (0.25, 0.47, and 0.61 mg·kg-1) under T. patula plantation. Compared with the control, our results showed that GLDA application significantly increased the biomass of aerial parts of T. patula by 21.9% (p < 0.05). Likewise, Cd content in aboveground and underground parts of T. patula increased by 94.7% and 60.5%, respectively, compared with the control (p < 0.05). GLDA application caused significant increases in Cd accumulations in cell soluble fraction and cell wall by 290% and 123%, respectively (p < 0.05); soil pH and DTPA-Cd content increased with the increase of total application of GLDA. Co-application of GLDA (2340 kg hm-2) and T. patula reduced the total soil Cd content by 12.87% compared with the soil background. Altogether, our findings conclude on the efficacy of GLDA application for the remediation of Cd-contaminated farmlands under T. patula cultivation.

Phytoaccumulation of zinc from contaminated soil using ornamental plants species Helianthus annuus L. and Tagetes erecta L.

Intensive research on hyperaccumulator plant species provides an alternative method to cleanup heavy metal contaminated sites using these plants. Helianthus annuus and Tagetes erecta are suitable hyperaccumulator plant species for removing zinc (Zn) from contaminated soil because of their high phytoremediation effectiveness. The present study focused on to evaluate comparative efficacy of Zn accumulation using H. annuus and T. erecta. Plantlets were exposed to different Zn concentrations (10, 50, 100, 300, and 500 mg kg-1) for 20, 40, and 60 days while changes in morphological, biochemical, and enzyme activity markers were evaluated. The concentration of Zn in various plant parts was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). After 60 days H. annuus showed greatest accumulation of Zn in the root and shoot (216.7 and 109.5 mg kg-1), whereas the Zn accumulation T. erecta (209.5 and 97.84 mg kg-1) was found comparatively less in the root and shoot. The result showed increased polyphenol and proline concentrations with increasing Zn concentrations which were maximal in H. annuus 6.642 mg g-1 and 25.474 µmol g-1, respectively. At 60 days, APX (4.145 mM mg-1), CAT (2.558 mM mg-1), and GR (52.23 mM mg-1) antioxidant enzymatic activities were observed with higher concentrations. Analysis of ultrastructure confirmed Zn transport and localization in root and shoot tissues examined through FESEM-EDX, Fluorescence microscopy, and optical microscopy. The present research findings concluded with the high amount of removal of Zn from contaminated soil using H. annuus and T. erecta for ecofriendly approach to soil cleanup followed by sustainable agriculture.

Our research work focused on the removal of zinc from the contaminated soil by phytoremediation using ornamental plants species Helianthus annuus and Tagetes erecta. Our research findings through detailed microscopic observation, antioxidant analysis, and biochemical evaluation have proven that Helianthus annuus L. have a better capability for Zn mitigation in the contaminated site as compared to Tagetes erecta. As an outcome of this research, we authentically suggest for use of H. annuus as a good accumulator of Zn compared to T. erecta.

Differential activity of wheat antioxidant defense system and alterations in the accumulation of osmolytes at different developmental stages as influenced by marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) leachates.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectivity of Tagetes erecta L. leachates on various growth, physiological, and biochemical parameters of wheat at different stages of growth. Results suggested that Triticum aestivum L. seedlings/plants when exposed to higher concentrations of marigold leachates (10%, 20%, and 30% w/v of fresh parts and 5% and 10% w/v of dry parts) exhibited enhanced lipid peroxidation along with an increase in the activity of protease and phenylalanine ammonia lyase. Treatment with higher concentrations of leachates of fresh (30% w/v) and dry (10% w/v) T. erecta upregulated the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase and also increased the non-enzymatic components of antioxidant defense such as glutathione, ascorbic acid, and total phenols along with osmotic constituents comprising free proline, free sugars, and free amino acids in wheat. The growth and yield attributes of wheat exhibited a slight increase at treatments with lower concentrations (1% w/v) of dry leachates, whereas a decrease was recorded at higher concentrations (10% w/v). In general, treatments with flower leachates (higher concentrations) showed greater influence as compared with those with leaf leachates. Identification and understanding the mechanism of function of allelochemicals in these leachates may pave a way for further experimentation on Tagetes erecta L crop while it is cultivated and decomposed in the field.

Sphingomonas liriopis sp. nov., Sphingomonas donggukensis sp. nov., and Sphingomonas tagetis sp. nov., isolated from Liriope platyphylla fruit, soil, and Tagetes patula roots.

Three bacterial strains, designated RP10T, RMG20T, and MG17T, were isolated from Liriope platyphylla fruit (strain RP10T), soil (RMG20T), and Tagetes patula roots (MG17T) collected in Goyang, Republic of Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains RP10T, RMG20T, and MG17T were closely related to Sphingomonas melonis DSM 14444 T (highest similarity of the strain RP10T), Sphingomonas asaccharolytica DSM 10564 T (strain RMG20T), and Sphingomonas suaedae JCM 33850 T (strain MG17T) with 98.0-99.0% highest sequence similarity. The 16S rRNA gene sequences similarity between strains RP10T, RMG20T, and MG17T was 96.6-97.4%. Strains RP10T, RMG20T, MG17T, and the closely related type strains have digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values of 19.4-65.3% and 74.0-95.7%, respectively. Based on phylogenetic, biochemical, chemotaxonomic, and phenotypic data, strains RP10T, RMG20T, and MG17T are considered to represent novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas liriopis sp. nov. (type strain RP10T = KACC 22357 T = TBRC 15161 T), Sphingomonas donggukensis sp. nov. (type strain RMG20T = KACC 22358 T = TBRC 15162 T), and Sphingomonas tagetis sp. nov. (type strain MG17T = KACC 22355 T = TBRC 15160 T), are proposed.