Abstract
Five batches from the same stock of seeds of Ocimum basilicum were irradiated at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 Gy, respectively using 60C source. Methanolic leaf extracts of these samples and a control were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method using M2 plants. All the methanolic extracts showed antioxidant activity. The IC50 of the methanolic extracts of the six different treatments, control, 5 Gy, 10 Gy, 15 Gy, 20 Gy and 25 Gy, showed antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 100, 90, 86, 61, 71 and 70 μg/ml, respectively. Three individual mutants, M-15-5, M-20-6 and M-15-4, had IC50 values of 26, 30 and 40 μg/ml, respectively. These mutants were from the 15 Gy and 20 Gy treatments. From the results, it is confirmed that induced mutation can be employed to create variation in the levels of free radical scavenging activity in O. basilicum and can therefore serve as a tool for breeding for high levels of antioxidant activity in O. basilicum.
Highlights
The use of natural antioxidants by consumers and the scientific community is on the increase since epidemiological studies have shown that frequent consumption of natural antioxidants is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer [1] [2] Natural antioxidants may be used as reducing agents, free radical scavengers, complexes of pro-oxidant metals and quenchers of reactive oxygen species
Induced mutation is a breeding technique employed to increase the genetic base of plant and animal species after which individuals with high levels of the desirable traits are selected
Decolorization was plotted against the sample extract concentration and a linear regression curve was established to calculate IC50, which is the amount of sample required to decrease the absorbance of the DPPH free radical by 50%
Summary
The use of natural antioxidants by consumers and the scientific community is on the increase since epidemiological studies have shown that frequent consumption of natural antioxidants is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer [1] [2] Natural antioxidants may be used as reducing agents, free radical scavengers, complexes of pro-oxidant metals and quenchers of reactive oxygen species. (2016) Effect of Induced Mutation on Antioxidant Activity in Ocimum basilicum Linn. Species belonging to this family have been reported to contain high levels of dietary antioxidants [4]-[6], and the in vitro antioxidant potency of these species has been revealed in numerous studies [7]. The search for varieties of this plant species with high levels of antioxidant would require a breeding exercise to increase its genetic base. Induced mutation is a breeding technique employed to increase the genetic base of plant and animal species after which individuals with high levels of the desirable traits are selected. The experiment aims at using induced mutation to create genetic variation in O. basilicum and select for plant individuals with high levels of antioxidant activities. In Ghana, medicinal plant breeding has received little attention and the current work seeks to set the pace for breeding medicinal plants
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