**1. Introduction**

Marigold flower (*Tagetes erecta* L.) is an annual herbaceous plant commercialized worldwide as an ornamental plant and a natural source of pigment from its yellow/orange flowers. The flower is rich in carotenoids, the extract of which is used as a colorant in a wide variety of food products, including cake mixture, drinks, and ordinary drinks, cereals, chewing gum, dairy analogs, egg products, fats and oils, dairy products, processed fruit and fruit juices, and soups [1, 2]. Marigold flowers are classified as medicinal plants from the Compositae tribe. People empirically use it to treat asthma, bronchitis, fever, ulcers, burns, and swelling [3]. The pigment content in marigold flowers are classified as carotenoids, namely lutein pigments that are yellow to orange [4]. *T. erecta* L. is a major source of lutein for commercial use. In 2010, lutein occupied a \$ 233 million share of the world carotenoid market [1, 2, 5]. Lutein is a primary pigment because this pigment is not produced synthetically. It is due to its production, which requires a long process. Lutein from *T. erecta* L. is a pure extract obtained from marigold oleoresin, extracted from the petals of marigold flowers with an organic solvent. After the saponification process, the final product contains the main component lutein and a fraction of zeaxanthin. Lutein (3R, 3'R, 6'R-βε-carotene-3,3′-diol) is a member of the pigment group known as xanthophylls and lacks provitamin A activity. Lutein generally coexists in nature with its stereoisomer zeaxanthin and the double bonds of the isoprene backbone can exist in the all-trans (**Figure 1**). Pure lutein typically appears as a yelloworange crystalline, lipophilic, solid with the chemical name β,ε-carotene-3,3′-diol (C40H56O2) [3].

Lutein pigments are found in egg yolks, fruits, and vegetables, including tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin, corn, and various green plants [6]. Some research results reported that lutein is efficacious to protect the eyes from macular degeneration and epithelial cancer, and has antioxidant properties [7], and can increase the immune system in the body [8]. Unfortunately, lutein cannot be synthesized in the body; so, it depends on plants [9]. In plants, lutein can be in the form of free lutein such as in spinach, cabbage, and broccoli, or in the form of esters with the fatty acids in the following fruits and vegetables: mango, orange, papaya, red or green peppers, yellow corn etc. [10–12]. Lutein content in natural sources depends on the type, variety, level of maturity, part of the fruit, and also on processing processes such as heating, preservation, or storage [12]. Dried marigold flowers contain 0.1%–0.2% carotenoids with a composition of 80% as lutein ester [4].

Lutein is an antioxidant because it can reduce free radicals and reactive molecules that can inhibit cell damage [13]. Free radicals can be produced from the body's metabolism and also from outside the body, such as the smoke of a cigarette, environmental pollution, radiation, drugs, pesticides, and ultraviolet rays [14]. Free radicals can cause damage because they can react with cell components that are important for maintaining cell life, both structural components (for example, the molecules making up membranes) or functional components (for example, DNA enzymes) [15]. Antioxidants are chemical compounds that can neutralize free

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*The Potential of Lutein Extract of* Tagetes erecta *L. Flower as an Antioxidant and Enhancing…*

radicals by donating one or more electrons to free radicals; so, these free radicals can be suppressed [16]. Lutein is very effective as an antioxidant to protect the eyes because it is able to neutralize free radicals formed by the action of ultraviolet radiation on the retina of the eye and reduce the risk of cataracts due to aging [17]. Humans are unable to synthesize lutein, so they can obtain it by consuming fruits, vegetables, and dietary supplements [12]. Testing the antioxidant potential of lutein compounds from marigold flowers (*T. erecta* L*.*) can be carried out using DPPH,

The lutein pigment in marigold flowers (*T. erecta* L.) can act as an immunomodulator, especially to protect the eyes from pathogenic elements such as viruses, bacteria, and infectious diseases intra-ocular inflammation [18]. Humans have resistance to a disease/infection from microorganisms or foreign substances, which is called the immune system. The body's immune system's decreased function can be caused by stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, aging, and chronic disease. The human body's immune system consists of specific and non-specific immune systems. One of the defenses made by the body's non-specific immune system in preventing the entry of antigens is by doing phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is the process of ingesting, digesting, and destroying antigens/microbes. The cells that

play their role in carrying out phagocytosis are macrophage cells [19].

test animals (mice) induced by *S. aureus* bacteria [20].

**2.2 Lutein extract from marigold flowers (***T. erecta* **L.)**

cells (*in vivo*) induced by *S. aureus*.

**2. Experiment**

Sciences (LIPI).

**2.1 Material collection**

Previous research conducted *in vivo* showed that lutein derived from plants with a yellow pigment had an immunomodulatory activity increasing the regeneration of the immune system [8]. Immunomodulators are substances that can restore and repair the immune system, which function is disturbed or to suppress its excessive function [19]. In previous studies, researcher found that lutein activity was able to stimulate an immune response. In addition, it was found that 10 mg of lutein consumed daily by cats for 12 weeks led to an increase in the percentage of CD4+ and CD21+ lymphocytes, plasma IgG concentrations, and NK cell activation. It showed that lutein could stimulate mediator cells and humoral immunity in cats, which was done *in vivo*; so, stimulating the activity and capacity of macrophage cells in the body as an immune response [8]. Testing of immunomodulatory activity was carried out using observing the activity and capacity of macrophage cells from

This research has two objectives. First, this study examined the potential of lutein compounds from marigold flowers (*T. erecta* L.) as antioxidants using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. Second, this study examined the possibility of lutein extract as an immunomodulator through a non-specific immune system, namely the activity and capacity of phagocytosis of mice's peritoneal macrophage

Marigold flower (*T. erecta* L.) belongs to the Asteraceae family obtained from Taman Bunga Nusantara, Cipanas - West Java. Plant determination was carried out at Herbarium Bogorienses, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of

Dry powder of Marigold flower crown was weighed as much as 20 g into Erlenmeyer to extract of lutein [21, 22]. The weighing was carried out six times.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95965*

ABTS, and FRAP methods.

**Figure 1.** *Structural of all-trans lutein.*

#### *The Potential of Lutein Extract of* Tagetes erecta *L. Flower as an Antioxidant and Enhancing… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95965*

radicals by donating one or more electrons to free radicals; so, these free radicals can be suppressed [16]. Lutein is very effective as an antioxidant to protect the eyes because it is able to neutralize free radicals formed by the action of ultraviolet radiation on the retina of the eye and reduce the risk of cataracts due to aging [17]. Humans are unable to synthesize lutein, so they can obtain it by consuming fruits, vegetables, and dietary supplements [12]. Testing the antioxidant potential of lutein compounds from marigold flowers (*T. erecta* L*.*) can be carried out using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods.

The lutein pigment in marigold flowers (*T. erecta* L.) can act as an immunomodulator, especially to protect the eyes from pathogenic elements such as viruses, bacteria, and infectious diseases intra-ocular inflammation [18]. Humans have resistance to a disease/infection from microorganisms or foreign substances, which is called the immune system. The body's immune system's decreased function can be caused by stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, aging, and chronic disease. The human body's immune system consists of specific and non-specific immune systems. One of the defenses made by the body's non-specific immune system in preventing the entry of antigens is by doing phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is the process of ingesting, digesting, and destroying antigens/microbes. The cells that play their role in carrying out phagocytosis are macrophage cells [19].

Previous research conducted *in vivo* showed that lutein derived from plants with a yellow pigment had an immunomodulatory activity increasing the regeneration of the immune system [8]. Immunomodulators are substances that can restore and repair the immune system, which function is disturbed or to suppress its excessive function [19]. In previous studies, researcher found that lutein activity was able to stimulate an immune response. In addition, it was found that 10 mg of lutein consumed daily by cats for 12 weeks led to an increase in the percentage of CD4+ and CD21+ lymphocytes, plasma IgG concentrations, and NK cell activation. It showed that lutein could stimulate mediator cells and humoral immunity in cats, which was done *in vivo*; so, stimulating the activity and capacity of macrophage cells in the body as an immune response [8]. Testing of immunomodulatory activity was carried out using observing the activity and capacity of macrophage cells from test animals (mice) induced by *S. aureus* bacteria [20].

This research has two objectives. First, this study examined the potential of lutein compounds from marigold flowers (*T. erecta* L.) as antioxidants using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. Second, this study examined the possibility of lutein extract as an immunomodulator through a non-specific immune system, namely the activity and capacity of phagocytosis of mice's peritoneal macrophage cells (*in vivo*) induced by *S. aureus*.
