Comparative GC-MS analysis of phytochemical compounds in the ethanolic extracts of Tagetes erecta and Tridax procumbens

This study was aimed to identify the phytochemical compounds present in extracts from Tagetes erecta (flower) and Tridax procumbens (whole plant). The air-dried plant parts were powdered and extracted using ethanol. The extracts were then analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analysis revealed the presence of 36 compounds in the ethanolic extract of Tagetes erecta and 31 compounds in Tridax procumbens. Ten compounds (Stigmasterol, alpha-Amyrin, Tetradecanoic acid (Myristic acid), 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, Ethyl ester (Z,Z,Z)-(Linolenic acid), Ethyl tridecanoate (Tridecanoic acid), dl-alpha-Tocopherol, 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl (Quercetin) and Phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy were identified commonly in both plant ethanolic extract. Some of these compounds have been reported to be pharmacologically active. Based on these findings, and considering that plants are commonly used to prevent or treat various diseases, it is clear that these plants contain many active compounds. These compounds could be utilized in developing plant-based drugs.