Appraisal of Various Solvent Extracts from Basil Aerial Parts for their Biological Attributes

Nutrapharmaceutical potential of basil

Abstract

This study reports the antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes of different solvent extracts obtained from the basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The recovered yield of crude concentrated extracts (CCEs) from basil flowers and leaves was found in the range of 4.6-5.5 g/100 g and 3.8-13.4 g/100 g per dry matter, respectively. These CCEs of flowers and leaves contained a considerable amount of total phenolic content, over the range of 257-328 g/100 g and 245-303 g/100 g of (GAE), respectively. Total flavonoid content in CCEs of tested flowers and leaves was 151-210 g/100 g and 135-200 g/100 g of (CE), respectively. The recovered CCEs of basil exhibited notable DPPH radical scavenging capacity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.165-0.307 mg/mL for flowers and from 0.202-0.387 mg/mL for leaves. The tested CCEs demonstrated a strong ability (55% to 67%) to inhibit the peroxidation process in the linoleic system. The 80% aqueous ethanol exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including Bacillus pumilus, Escherichia coli, Fusarium oxysporum, and Aspergillus niger, while the lowest potential was displayed by distilled water CCEs. The findings of this study advocate the utilization of aerial parts of basil as a potential source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.