English

Oliveira M,M Rezende C,A R Alves A,Zardetto G,Alberto O,C Gazim Z,Tsukui A,K Cardoso B,A G Cortez D,Piau Jnior R,E R Cortez L,M Moura G

doi:10.5897/ajar2013.7973

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the effect of using different sulphur dilutions in the yield and composition of essential oil of Ocimum basilicum L. (basil). Sulphur was applied at different dilution rates with a centesimal scale ranging from 0c (control), 6c, 12c, 24c, to 30c. The experiment was conducted in pots at open atmosphere for 5 months, using a weekly dosage of 250 ml of the different dilution rates. Parameters evaluated were: Yield of essential oil by hydrodistillation (g%) and chemical composition analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results confirmed the effect of sulphur dilutions in the yield and composition of basil essential oil. Both the 6c and the 12c dilution rates led to the highest yield of essential oil (0.15%) when compared to the control (0.08%) and to other dilution rates (P≤0.05). The major chemical components of essential oil changed as the sulphur increased, the concentration of linalol: 33.14%(12c); 30.92%(6c); 27.13%(30c); 23.86%(24c); 7.41%(0c) and eugenol: 33.11%(24c); 32.14%(12c); 28.57%(30c); 26.51%(6c) and 7.8%(0c); in comparison with the control (0c). Economically, the increase of linalol and engenol concentrations are considered important as the essential oil of basil with high concentration of linalool is highly prized in the international market. Key words: Essential oil, Ocimum basilicum, linalool, Eugenol, Sulphur, centesimal scale, dilutions.

Highlights

The term "ocimum" comes from the Greek "ókimom" which means fragrant, due to the smell scent exhaled by the leaves and inflorescences
The 24c Sulphur dilution significantly inhibited the production of shoot fresh mass (267.70 g) in comparison with the control (372.75g) and the 6c dilution rate (375.75g)
With respect to the effect of different Sulphur dilution rates on the yield of basil essential oil, both the 6c and the 12c rates significantly resulted in the highest yields (0.152 and 0.149% respectively) in relation to the control (0.078%) and in comparison with other dilutions

Summary

Introduction

The term "ocimum" comes from the Greek "ókimom" which means fragrant, due to the smell scent exhaled by the leaves and inflorescences. The genus Ocimum comprises about 30 species rich in essential oils. Ocimum basilicum (L.), commonly known as Basil, is used worldwide and has an estimated global production of 42.5 tons year-1 (Morais and Barbosa, 2012). In Brazil, O. basilicum is cultivated mainly by small farmers to be marketed as a condiment (Teixeira et al, 2002). In addition to be consumed fresh, basil is employed to obtain an essential oil, whose high concentration of linalool is highly valued in the international market and widely used in the industries of condiments and cosmetics (Marotti et al, 1996). The production of essential oils is commonly operated in developing regions due to a primary agriculture oriented to low-demanding crops. Guatemala, India, Egypt, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Turkey are the main traditional exporters of essential oils (Craveiro and Queiroz, 1993)

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