Abstract
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most popular plants cultivated worldwide. It is a good source of natural antioxidants and contains significant amounts of important phytochemicals. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the macronutrients, minerals, vitamins and bioactive compounds of fresh and dehydrated basil and its hot and cold infusions. The basil presented high moisture (94.12%) and low lipid (0.20%), carbohydrates (5.25%) and dietary fibers (2.33%) content. There was no difference in vitamin C concentrations, total phenolics and antioxidant capacity between fresh and dehydrated basil and between the hot and cold infusions (p > 0.05). Potassium and calcium were the most prevalent minerals in dehydrated basil. The consumption of basil, especially in dehydrated form, can contribute significantly to the daily intake of minerals, vitamins C and E, and infusions are not a relevant choice of consumption to achieve nutritional recommendations.
Highlights
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), belonging to the family Lamiaceae, is part of a group of medicinal and aromatic plants of great economic value
Basil is a good source of natural antioxidants, and contains significant amounts of important phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid contents (Aburigal et al, 2017; Kwee & Niemeyer, 2011; Muráriková & Neugebauerová, 2018)
The nutritional and bioactive characterization, especially vitamins and carotenoids, of this herb is scarce in the literature, with a greater focus on its antioxidant capacity (Prinsi, Morgutti, Negrini, Faoro, & Espen, 2020; Silva, 2011) and phenolic compounds (Prinsi et al, 2020)
Summary
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), belonging to the family Lamiaceae, is part of a group of medicinal and aromatic plants of great economic value It is one of the most popular plants cultivated worldwide (Dumbrava, Moldovan, Raba, & Popa, 2012), including Brazil, where the climate is favourable (Carvalho et al, 2012). Its use is recommended as a digestive tonic, with antimicrobial, antibacterial, anticonvulsant and anticarcinogenic properties (Ch, Naz, Sharif, Akram, & Saeed, 2015; Kwee & Niemeyer, 2011). It is used for curing ailments such as warts, inflammations, colds and headaches (Ch et al, 2015). To date we found no studies that evaluated the bioactive compounds of basil tea prepared by hot and cold infusion
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