Chemical composition, qualitative phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential of Ocimum basilicum L. essential oil.

SOBIA GHANI; Z. H. KHAN

Volume : V, Issue : II, February - 2015

Chemical composition, qualitative phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential of Ocimum basilicum L. essential oil.

Sobia Ghani, Z. H. Khan

Abstract :

Chemical composition, antioxidant and qualitative analysis of phytochemicals from aerial parts of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) were investigated. The essential oils consisted of Linolenic acid as the most abundant component followed by linalool, Estragole, Eugenol, Tetradecanoic acid, n–Hexadecanoic acid, Phytol, Palmitin 2–mono, Stigmasterol, Beta sitosterol and many more. The essential oils exhibited good antioxidant activity as measurements by DPPH free radical–scavenging ability. The investigation to determine the qualitative analysis of possible chemical components is done using GC–MS. Phytochemical screening of Ocimum basilicum were carried out with the view to assess the therapeutic value and the safety of the plant. The result revealed the presence of saponins, tannins and cardiac glycosides in the plant. It is therefore concluded that Ocimum basilicum contains bioactive compounds that could enhance the curative process of health.