Differential phytochemical responses of Feverfew to green synthesized calcium nanostructures formed on pectin and Aloe vera extract

Abstract

Feverfew, a plant known for its antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, was studied using nano-calcium (nCa) nanoparticles (nCa-AV) and calcium-pectin nanoparticles (nCa-P) to investigate phytochemical changes. The study found that the application of nCa increased the total phenolic and flavonoids in Feverfew, with the highest content of phenolics (35.3 mg/g DM) in 0.4 % nCa-AV and flavonoids in 0.2 % nCa-AV and nCa-P (38.0 and 40.5 mg/g DM, respectively). The nanoparticles did not affect the content of benzoic acid, however significantly increased chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, apigenin and quercetin in the plant. The content of bioactive compounds and DPPH scavenging activity increased in line with increasing the dose of nanoparticles, and the nCa-AV was more effective in increasing these compounds. The Ca nanoparticles increased the essential oil content in Feverfew. The treatments also increased the essential oil content of Feverfew, with 50 compounds detected, including 40–50 % camphor, 30 % transchrysanthyl acetate, and 10 % camphine and alpha-pinene. Ca nanoparticle application decreased the farnesene, but increased the camphor content and had no effect on the content of chrysanthelin acetate in essential oil. The treatments increased the antipyretic effects of Feverfew essential oil, although they reduce its aroma.

Keywords

• Antioxidant activity
• Essential oil
• Flavonoids
• Nano-complex
• Phenolics
• Tanacetum parthenium