Phytochemical Analysis of Ocimum Spp. - An Important Medicinal Plant

The antioxidant activities of four genotypes of basil species were selected for biochemical studies, viz., Ocimum sanctum L. (Rama Tulsi), Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Krishna Tulsi), Ocimum gratissimum L. (Van Tulsi), and Ocimum basilicum L. (Babui Tulsi) for the antioxidant properties. Ocimum L. is considered useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorders, reduction of blood glucose level and is regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent. The phytochemical analysis of the plant leaves extract to the estimation of standard biochemical methods such as peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase activity, antioxidant, flavonoids, total phenols, protein as well as total carbohydrates, starch and reducing and non-reducing sugar. The biochemical studies revealed that the starch (98 mg/gfw), the content was found to be higher in O. gratissimum. Similarly the other parameters such as total sugar (159 mg/gfw), non-reducing sugar (61mg/gfw), Peroxidase (142 U/mL), Catalase (188 U/mL), SOD (92.47 U/mL), PPO (462 U/mL) were found to be higher in O. sanctum. On the other hand, soluble protein (62 mg/gfw), total flavonoids (325 mg/gfw) and total flavonols (486 mg/gfw) were found to be higher in O. tenuiflorum. Total antioxidants (136.45 mg/gfw), reducing sugar (108 mg/gfw) and phenol (479 mg/gfw) were found to be higher in O. basilicum. The result shows that the best genotype among the four follows the trends O. sanctum > O. basilicum > O. tenuiflorum > O. gratissimum. On the basis of the result, the two genotypes can be recommended for medicinal purpose in the pharmaceutical application.