Indian Basil Research Articles

Seed Germination and Plant Growth in Ocimum Variety by Physical Treatment Methods

Ocimum one of the largest family of Lamiaceae,it comprised about 150 species distributed all over tropical and subtropical region of world. The essential components of family is eugenol found which is used for cosmetic product, culinary uses,food and drug industry. sweet basil or Indian basil, is an industrially important source of essential oil, oil painting and aroma chemicals. the present study entitled “Germination and growth responses in Ocimum specie’s to seed pretreatments ” has been accepted with the ideal of homogenizing pretreatment of seeds for enhanced germination and growth plants. The main objective of studies is to carried physical treatment of seeds were vanquished to various physical treatments analogous as scarification( using sandpaper), water soaking( overnight), hot water( 25℃) treatment for 5 min to study their effect on seed germination to obtain maximum germination percentage and growth of seedlings. In this study there are four specie’sof Ocimum, Ocimum tenuiflorum L., Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum grattisum L., Ociumum thrysiflorum L. selected for seed pretreatment and evaluation of pretreatment seeds. Study area analysis taken different measurements were germination percentage, survival percentage, Mean germination time, shoot length,root length, seedlings height, Allometric index observed. The highest germination percentage and height also lowest rate and height calculate by using formula.

Cleaner production of essential oils from Indian basil, lemongrass and coriander leaves using ultrasonic and ohmic heating pre-treatment systems

Indian basil (Ocimum basillicum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) leaves are a good source of aromatic oils; however, their extraction volume is low. Hence, two pre-treatment systems (ohmic-heating and ultrasonic) were devised for extraction of essential oils (EO) from the leaves of these three plant spp., which consequently enhanced the EO yield and saved the time and energy. First of all, an experimental set-up was developed for ohmic-heating pre-treatment which was subjected to the optimization of electric conductivity of lemongrass and coriander leaves at 26.25 V/cm and for Indian basil at 22.5 V/cm voltage gradient. An Experimental setup was also developed for ohmic heating-assisted hydro-distillation (OHD). Finally, conventional Clevenger hydro-distillation (CHD), OHD, ultrasonic-assisted conventional hydro-distillation (UACHD) and ultrasonic-assisted ohmic-heating hydro-distillation (UAOHD) methods were evaluated for their effectiveness in the extraction of the EOs. The OHD took 3.5 h time with 410 W power consumption compared to 5 h time and 500 W power consumption in CHD of sleeted leaves. Likewise, a saving of ~ 86% in time and 74% in energy consumption was observed for EO extraction through UAOHD over CHD. Quantity of EOs extracted from all three aromatic plant spp. leaves followed the trend of UAOHD > UACHD > OHD > CHD methods, respectively. Overall, ultrasonic pre-treatment coupled with ohmic-heating assisted hydro-distillation (UAOHD) proved as an innovative and effective clean EO extraction technology which took shorter extraction time and lesser energy consumption with better EO yield over the UACHD, OHD and CHD methods from the leaves of Indian basil, lemongrass and coriander.

Chemical and genetic stability of methyl chavicol-rich Indian basil (Ocimum basilicum var. CIM-Saumya) micropropagated in vitro

Indian basil i.e. Ocimum basilicum L., an important essential oil yielding plant, is used in high-grade perfumes, flavoring, dental and oral products. A methyl chavicol-rich, high essential oil yielding variety of Indian basil CIM-Saumya, released by the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, India, has immense industrial potential due to the occurrence of two important aromatic components, i.e. methyl chavicol (62.5–77.6%) and linalool (14.4–34.1%). The Ocimum being highly cross-pollinated and seed propagated, produce heterogeneous progeny thereby restricting its commercial application. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to produce a large number of genetically and chemically uniform plants of this improved variety CIM-Saumya for the first time using nodal explants. Multiple shoot cultures developed on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) supplemented with BA (N6-benzyladenine, 2.67μM) and these shoots were further transferred to half strength MS medium supplemented with NAA (α-naphthalene acetic acid, 0.27μM) for rhizogenesis. These plantlets were maintained under in vitro conditions for more than three years. The established plantlets were successfully shifted in a glasshouse and finally in the field. Flow cytometry, inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, were employed to evaluate genetic similarity amongst micro-clones and the mother plant. In all, 28 primers (18 RAPD and 10 ISSR) generated 178 distinct, monomorphic and reproducible bands. Head space gas chromatography showed the similarity in the qualitative profile of 11 major volatile constituents. These results clearly demonstrated that the developed protocol can be efficiently utilized to generate genetically and chemically uniform population of an industrially important variety CIM-Saumya.

Tulsi: The Pharmacological significance

The “Tulsi” plant or Indian basil occupies an important place in the Indian population. The plant grows in the wild in the tropics and other warm regions. The study followed an exhaustive literature survey and further concluded its uses in edibles as well as in therapeutic formulations. Leaves of Tulsi was found to be used in various pathological conditions like cough, respiratory disorders, eye disorders, depression and fever. Traditionally, tulsi is consumed as many practices like in dried powder, herbal tea and fresh leaf and/or mixed with ghee. Essential oil obtained from “Karpooratulasi” is commonly used for medicinal values as well as in herbal cosmetics.The active chemical constituents found in tulsi are eugenol, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, carvacrol, linalool and β-caryophyllene.

Indian holy basil hot favourite of genomic scientists

Indian holy basil hot favourite of genomic scientists

Integrated nutrient management in Indian basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Indian basil (Ocimum basilicum), is an economical essential oil producing industrial crop used in flavour and fragrance industries. Integrated nutrient management is an important approach to use the organic manure with optimum level of NPK fertilizers, as it will not only improve the nutrient status, but also sustained the crop yield. Field experiments were conducted at research farm of Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India during 2009 and 2010 to study integrated nutrient management in Indian basil. Application of 50% inorganic fertilizers (50:20:20NPKkgha−1)+50% farm yard manure (10.0Mgha−1) produced significantly higher fresh herb and essential oil yields over other treatments and also increased the organic carbon status, available N, P2O5 and K2O by 0.16%, 62.4, 54.7 and 29.3kgha−1 in the post harvest soil from their initial values, respectively. The major constituents in the essential oil namely methyl chavicol and linalool did not change significantly due to treatments. Thus it is concluded that combined application of 50% each of inorganic fertilizers (50:20:20NPKkgha−1) and FYM (10.0Mgha−1) produced significantly higher herb, oil yields and improved the soil fertility.

Effect of Chromium Rich Tannery Effluent on Soil Quality Vis-àVis Growth of Essential Oil Bearing Plant Indian Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Effect of Chromium Rich Tannery Effluent on Soil Quality Vis-àVis Growth of Essential Oil Bearing Plant Indian Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Enrichment, Development, and Assessment of Indian Basil Oil Based Antiseptic Cream Formulation Utilizing Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance Approach

The present work was aimed to develop an antiseptic cream formulation of Indian basil oil utilizing hydrophilic-lipophilic balance approach. In order to determine the required-hydrophilic lipophilic balance (rHLB) of basil oil, emulsions of basil oil were prepared by phase inversion temperature technique using water, Tween 80, and Span 80. Formulated emulsions were assessed for creaming (BE9; 9.8, BE10; 10.2), droplet size (BE18; 3.22 ± 0.09 μm), and turbidity (BE18; 86.12 ± 2.1%). To ensure correctness of the applied methodology, rHLB of light liquid paraffin was also determined. After rHLB determination, basil oil creams were prepared with two different combinations of surfactants, namely, GMS : Tween 80 (1 : 3.45) and SLS : GMS (1 : 3.68), and evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activity, skin irritation test, viscosity and consistency. The rHLB of basil oil and light liquid paraffin were found to be 13.36 ± 0.36 and 11.5 ± 0.35, respectively. Viscosity, and consistency parameters of cream was found to be consistent over 90 days. Cream formulations showed net zone of growth inhibition in the range of 5.0–11.3 mm against bacteria and 4.3–7.6 mm against fungi. Primary irritation index was found to be between 0.38 and1.05. Conclusively stable, consistent, non-irritant, enriched antiseptic basil oil cream formulations were developed utilizing HLB approach.

Prediction of Germination Potential in Seeds of Indian Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Indian basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an essential oil and aromatic chemical-producing crop of India. Optimal germination potential and seed vigor are essential for commercial growers and farmers to justify buying premium-priced seed and ensure performance of their crop. Seed germination tests of Ocimum basilicum variety CIM-Saumya were carried out in Petri dishes at constant temperatures of 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, and 40°C at 16 h light/8 h dark daily regimes. The temperature of 25°C was found to be optimal, and germination percentage and seedling vigor indexes I and II were 75.6, 496.7, and 0.358, respectively. Seeds produced abnormal seedlings at 40°C. Significant decreases in germination percentage and seedling vigor indexes I and II were observed at 15°C, 20°C, 30°C, and 35°C. Days 2–3 and days 6–7 after seed sowing were ideal times for first and final count, respectively, for seed germination of Indian basil.

Enhancing productivity of Indian basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) through harvest management under rainfed conditions of subtropical north Indian plains

A field experiment was conducted during 2004 and 2005 at the research farm of Central Institute of Medicinal And Aromatic Plants, Lucknow located at 26.5° N 80.5° E and 120 m above the mean sea level to study the effect of harvesting stage and cutting height on growth, yield and quality of Indian basil. The objective of this study was to increase the essential oil yield of Indian basil without adverse effect on quality by taking two harvests through manipulating harvesting stage and cutting height and to increase the land and rain water utilization efficiency under rain fed condition. The treatments consisted of four stages of first harvest (40, 60, 80 and 100 days after transplanting (DAT)) and three cutting height (0, 7.5 and 15.0 cm above ground level). The Indian basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) crop harvested at 40 and 60 days after transplanting maintaining 7.5 and 15 cm height from ground level could produce second (ratoon) crop. The crop harvested at 40 DAT at a 15 cm height produced 20% higher essential oil (162.5 kg ha −1) compared to 132.0 kg ha −1 oil obtained from traditional practice of harvesting at 80 days after transplanting from ground level, without any adverse effect on the quality of essential oil. For maximizing oil production first harvest of Indian basil at 40 DAT from 7.5 or 15 cm above the ground level and ratoon crop at 50 days after first harvest is suggested.

Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Ocimum spp.

ABSTRACT Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum canum, Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum sanctum, and Ocimum kilmandscharicum are important essential oil bearing plants of India, important in the perfumery, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In screening trials at the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India, for symbiotic association of the Ocimum spp. with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus geosporum, Gomus mosseae, Gigaspora spp., Sclerocystis sinuosa, and Acaulospora spp. were identified and quantified. Glomus aggregatum and Glomus fasciculatum were predominantly present and associated with all the Ocimum species. Root colonization studies revealed a maximum colonization (62.8%) in Ocimum basilicum (Indian basil) and a minimum colonization (35.2%) in Ocimum gratissimum. The application of VAM fungi may improve the growth and productivity of Ocimum species.

Essential Oils as Potent Source of Nematicidal Compounds

Bioassay tests were conducted to find out the nematicidal activity of eight essential oils against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood at four concentrations. Maximum activity was recorded in oils of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus hybrida and Ocimum basilicum followed by Pelargonium graveolens, Cymbopogon martinii, Mentha arvensis, Mentha piperita and Mentha spicata oils, respectively. The eucalyptus (E. citriodora and E. hybrida) and Indian basil (O. basilicum) oils were highly toxic to M. incognita even at the lower concentrations, namely 500 and 250 ppm. The remaining oils were also toxic to the nematode but at different amounts.