Abstract

ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF MARIGOLD: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Naina A. Tupat*, Manjushri V. Lokhande, Ashwini S. Kohare, Rita N. Soyam

Abstract

Those bright marigolds, known scientifically as Tagetes erecta L., stand out because they can hinder many tiny invaders while packing a mix of natural chemicals. When skin acts up or bellies feel off, people have long turned to these flowers. What’s inside? A team of compounds - flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolics, thiophenes, terpenes, oils, tannins, saponins - that don’t let germs settle in. Power shows up by tearing down what harms germ walls, stopping key processes dead in their tracks, shutting down necessary enzymes, messing up DNA replication, causing internal disruption in cells, even jamming communication lines between bacteria. Lab tests show marigold juice works against hard-to-kill microbes such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, plus Fusarium varieties - pointing toward usefulness in persistent infections. While everyday application seems harmless at first glance, issues arise due to possible sun reactions, allergy risks, and a total lack of extended human trials. The ability to destroy pathogens is clear, although fluctuating natural ingredients within the plant lead to inconsistent results. Medical progress stalls because extracts differ wildly, animal testing remains rare, besides nearly absent evidence from real patients. Close inspection of Tagetes erecta reveals its form, preferred habitats, and long-standing role in traditional healing. Its effectiveness ties back to specific substances that stop damaging microorganisms through observable actions. Yet uncertainties appear alongside gaps in current scientific understanding. Progress will depend on refining methods and exploring more deeply its possible uses in medicine. Even with unresolved issues, interest grows around new directions this plant might open for study.

Keywords: Tagetes spp., marigold, phytochemistry, antibacterial activity, leaf extract, flower extract, natural products, antimicrobial agents.