Evaluation of H2O2 radical scavenging activity, phenolic and flavonoid content of the formulated beverage made from T. erecta L.

Tagetes erecta, the Mexican marigold, also called Aztec marigold, is a species of the genus Tagetes native to Mexico. Despite its being native to the Americas, it is often called African marigold. It is well known for its antimicrobial, antiseptic, wound and ulcer healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral properties, and it has a long history of being used as an herbal remedy. T. erecta produces a variety of substances that possess pharmacological effects and antioxidant activity.  The present study aims to analyze the antioxidant property of a beverage made of dried T. erecta L. flowers petals, cultivated in West Bengal, India. Radical scavenging potential was determined using H2O2 (Hydrogen peroxide) scavenging assay, which showed that with increase in concentration of the sample, the % of inhibition also increased. The total flavonoid content of the residue left after filtering the beverage, made from dried and processed Tagetes flower was found to be 530.32 mg/g dry weight, using a standard curve of quercetin. Furthermore, the total phenolic content of the same was estimated, taking a standard curve of Gallic acid, and was calculated to be 78.31mg GAE/ g of dry sample. This study suggests that the flowers of Tagetes erecta L. are the possible sources of natural radical scavengers. Thus, black tea leaves could be used as natural antioxidants in the beverage, food and pharmaceutical industries that need further wide range in vivo studies.