Phytochemical Composition of Bioactive Compounds Present in Tagetes minuta Flower and Leaf Essential Oil Using FTIR and Antimicrobial Techniques for Exploring Therapeutic Uses

Abstract

The essential oils derived from Tagetes minuta flowers and leaves possess significant therapeutic potential due to their diverse phytochemical composition and bioactivity. This study employs Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and antimicrobial assays to comprehensively characterize the bioactive compounds present in the essential oils and evaluate their efficacy against various microbial pathogens. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of hydroxyl (O-H), carbonyl (C=O), and aromatic (C=C) bonds, which contribute to the observed biological activities. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated broad-spectrum activity, with notable efficacy against bacteria. Comparative analysis highlighted significant differences between the chemical profiles of flower and leaf oils, with flower oil exhibiting a higher concentration of phenols and terpenoids. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of essential oils from T. minuta as natural antimicrobial agents, offering a promising alternative for pharmaceutical applications. This work also provides a foundation for future studies aimed at isolating and optimizing specific bioactive compounds for enhanced efficacy.