Basil cultivar identification using chemotyping still favored over genotyping using core barcodes and possible resources of antioxidants

Abstract

Ocimum sp. taxonomy and nomenclature are in a state of confusion; thus species and cultivar identification are hampered by the large number of species belonging to this genus. In this study, we examined DNA barcoding and leaf essential oil (EO) composition methods for cultivar identification of local and recently introduced Ocimum sp. Both barcodes of rbcLa and matK were sequenced for each species in parallel with leaf EO composition analyses using gas chromatography and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of five Ocimum basilicum cultivars. Antioxidant activities for the EO were determined using 2,2′-diphenypicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. The main EO constituents were methyl cinnamate (43.8%) in O. basilicum L., chavicol methyl ether (39.1% and 32.3%) in O. basilicum purple ruffle and anise; respectively, and linalool (30.9% and 30.6%) in O. basilicum Genovese and bush green, respectively. All cultivars were classified into chemotypes easily using their EOs when compared with barcoding using core barcodes, which exhibited no variation among all species in both markers except for Ocimum americanum, varying in a single base pair in matK. We concluded that chemotyping performed better than barcoding in species and cultivar identification, and the search for a better barcodes should continue.

Malus baccata var. gracilis and Malus toringoides Bark Polyphenol Studies and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities

“…Bark extracts were subjected to β-carotene bleaching as well as FRAP and DPPH assays in triplicate replications [3,[57][58][59][60][61]. A wavelength of 470 nm was used in the β-carotene bleaching experiment, while a 517 nm wavelength was used in the DPPH to measure absorbance.…”

Sedative effects of the essential oil and headspace air of Ocimum basilicum by inhalation in mice

“…A total of 14 compounds were identified, with the main components being: eugenol (44.5%), linalool (21.2%), methyl eugenol (10.0%), eucalyptol (6.7%), and α-bergamotene (3.9%). O. basilicum is known to contain several types of oil [3] ; the type of basil used in this study contained predominantly eugenol. Stereochemical characterization of the linalool in the oil was carried out by GC using a Chirasil-Dex column;…”

Saudi Rosmarinus officinalis and Ocimum basilicum L. Polyphenols and Biological Activities

“…)-sweet basil; common basil-is another medicinal herb that originated in the Mediterranean region and is grown regularly all over the world. The Ocimum genus contains a large number of species, which are the subject of hybridization and within-population variation [24]. In addition, large number of commercial cultivars are added to the market every year.…”