Phytochemical study on Mediterranean Calendula maritima (Guss.)

Calendula maritima (Guss.) is a rare plant, endemic of the Mediterranean basin that is threatened with extinction due to environmental and human pressures. The attention to chemical and ecological data are useful tools in the management efforts focused on preserving the potential of this species, and a necessary action to develop an appropriate plan to protect C. maritima. It was with this aim that a chemical screening of extract from flower heads of C. maritima was carried out. High total polyphenol amount was recovered in the extract of flowers and the complex molecular nature was investigated by spectroscopic techniques. Thus, the partially purified extract was further assessed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance experiment and UV assay, this latter for the specific antioxidant activity. Mass spectrometry analysis definitely identifies the tannin compounds of C. maritima. The findings of this study demonstrate that C. maritima flowers are abundant in bioactive phytochemicals, and the tannin fraction has the potential in a sustainable range of nutritional and wellness applications.