Eco-Friendly Synthesis and Comparative In Vitro Biological Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Using Tagetes erecta Flower Extracts

The present study reports an eco-friendly synthesis method of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using two different extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) of Tagetes erecta flowers. When exposed to different biocompounds found in the plant, silver ions are reduced, thus, resulting in the green synthesis of nanoparticles. After performing the optimization of synthesis, the obtained AgNPs were characterized using various techniques. The UV–Vis spectrum of the synthesized nanoparticles showed maximum peaks at 410 and 420 nm. TEM analysis revealed that the particles were spherical with a size ranging from 10 to 15 nm, and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of silver metal. The average diameter value obtained through DLS analysis for the two types of AgNPs (obtained using aqueous and ethanolic extracts) was 104 and 123 nm. The Zeta potentials of the samples were −27.74 mV and −26.46 mV, respectively, which indicates the stability of the colloidal solution. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities assays showed that nanoparticles obtained using the aqueous extract presented enhanced antioxidant activity compared to the corresponding extract, with both types of AgNPs exhibiting improved antifungal properties compared to the initial extracts.

on Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

A study was undertaken on the ovicidal and larval repellent activity of Tagetes erecta leaf and flower extracts on Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806), an important tick species in the world from an economic and medical point of view. Ethanol and methanol extracted plant products tested against the eggs and larvae of R. sanguineus indicated that the ethanol extract of flower had maximum ovicidal activity (86.1%), followed by the ethanol extract of leaf (75%) at 25 mg ml-1 concentration. In all analyses, the homogeneity of variance was significant. The probit analysis clearly indicated that the ethanol extract of the flower has a higher ability to kill the eggs. In the case of larval repellency tested, both extracts of leaf showed the highest repellency (83%) at 2.5 mg ml-1. Significant tick repellency (> 90%) was found in both methanol and ethanol extracts of flower at 2.5 mg ml-1. GC-MS analysis of extracts revealed the presence of bioactive insecticidal compounds such as yangambin, cyclohexane and neophytadine.

Uji Toksisitas Daun dan Bunga Tahi Kotok Jingga (Tagetes Erecta) Menggunakan Metode BSLT (Brine Shrimp Lethality Test)

Metode penapisan awal pada pengobatan bahan alam untuk antikanker yang dapat dilakukan adalah dengan uji toksisitas ekstrak tumbuhan.Berdasarkan uji pendahuluan yang dilakukan ekstrak daun dan bunga tahi kotok jingga (Tagetes erecta) memiliki kandungan metabolit sekunder alkaloid, flavonoid dan fenol. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kandungan metabolit sekunder dan toksisitas ekstrak daun dan bunga tahi kotok jingga (Tagetes erecta) menggunakan metode Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT). Kandungan toksisitas dibuktikan melalui perhitungan LC50 yang dianalisis dengan regresi linear melalui microsoft office excel. Kandungan metabolit sekunder berupa flavonoid, alkaloid dan fenol dari ekstrak daun dan bunga tahi kotok jingga (Tagetes erecta) dianalisis dengan uji reagen standar. Penelitian uji toksisitas dilakukan 3 kali pengulangan (triplo) dimana setiap pengulangan menggunakan 1 larutan kontrol dan 3 konsentrasi yang masing-masing terdiri atas konsentrasi 1000 ppm, 100 ppm dan 10 ppm. Berdasarkan analisis regresi linear nilai LC50 yang diperoleh adalah daun tahi kotok jingga (Tagetes erecta) 58,817092 ppm dan bunga tahi kotok jingga (Tagetes erecta) adalah 23,2904713 ppm. Berdasarkan penelitian yang telah dilakukan diketahui bahwa ekstrak kental daun dan bunga tahi kotok jingga (Tagetes erecta) memiliki kandungan metabolit sekunder alkaloid, flavonoid dan fenol. Selain itu, ekstrak kental daun dan bunga tahi kotok jingga (Tagetes erecta) juga bersifat sangat toksik dan toksik.

Sunlight Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized by Green Chemistry Using Different Botanical Extracts and Zinc Acetate as a Precursor

In this work, the assessment of Azadirachta indica, Tagetes erecta, Chrysanthemum morifolium, and Lentinula edodes extracts as catalysts for the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was performed. The photocatalytic properties of ZnO NPs were investigated by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight irradiation. UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET) were used for the characterization of samples. The XRD results indicate that all synthesized nanoparticles have a hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure, which was confirmed by TEM. Further, TEM analysis proved the formation of spherical and hemispherical nanoparticles of ZnO with a size in the range of 14–32 nm, which were found in aggregate shape; such a size was well below the size of the particles synthesized with no extract (~43 nm). ZnO NPs produced with Tagetes erecta and Lentinula edodes showed the best photocatalytic activity, matching with the maximum adsorbed MB molecules (45.41 and 58.73%, respectively). MB was completely degraded in 45 min using Tagetes erecta and 120 min using Lentinula edodes when subjected to solar irradiation.

Functional Conservation and Divergence of Five AP1/FUL-like Genes in Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Members of AP1/FUL subfamily genes play an essential role in the regulation of floral meristem transition, floral organ identity, and fruit ripping. At present, there have been insufficient studies to explain the function of the AP1/FUL-like subfamily genes in Asteraceae. Here, we cloned two euAP1 clade genes TeAP1-1 and TeAP1-2, and three euFUL clade genes TeFUL1, TeFUL2, and TeFUL3 from marigold (Tagetes erecta L.). Expression profile analysis demonstrated that TeAP1-1 and TeAP1-2 were mainly expressed in receptacles, sepals, petals, and ovules. TeFUL1 and TeFUL3 were expressed in flower buds, stems, and leaves, as well as reproductive tissues, while TeFUL2 was mainly expressed in flower buds and vegetative tissues. Overexpression of TeAP1-2 or TeFUL2 in Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering, implying that these two genes might regulate the floral transition. Yeast two-hybrid analysis indicated that TeAP1/FUL proteins only interacted with TeSEP proteins to form heterodimers and that TeFUL2 could also form a homodimer. In general, TeAP1-1 and TeAP1-2 might play a conserved role in regulating sepal and petal identity, similar to the functions of MADS-box class A genes, while TeFUL genes might display divergent functions. This study provides a theoretical basis for the study of AP1/FUL-like genes in Asteraceae species.

Effect of Different Levels of Irrigation on Yield and Yield Attributes of Winter Marigold Crop (Tagetes erecta L.)

Agriculture has been indispensable for the subsistence of the people of India in general and farmers in particular. It has naturally been the cornerstone of the Indian economy since time immemorial and agriculture has played a major role in the country's economy since its inception. The research work was done to study the effect of irrigation levels on the yield and growth of winter marigolds. Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) had been taken twice the winter season of 2019-20 and 2020-21. The average flower yield (t/ha) was recorded under the treatment I1 (12.03 t/ha) was found maximum and it was followed by I2 (10.51 t/ha), I3 (9.73 t/ha). The consumptive water use (CWU) was found maximum (26.62 cm) in 100% of ETc and the lowest CWU was found (21.03 cm) in 80% of ETc through a drip system of irrigation in the cropping year 2020-21. Similarly, in 2019-20 CWU was found maximum (18.02 cm) in 100% of ETc, while the lowest CWU was found (14.42 cm) in 80% of ETc. The water use efficiency was found highest in I3 (0.77 t/ha/cm) and minimum WUE was found in I2 (0.525 t/ha/cm) in the cropping year 2019-20. For 2020-21, a maximum WUE was recorded in I2 (0.497 t/ha/cm) and the minimum WUE in I3 (0.335 t/ha/cm).