CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM LIME BASIL (OCIMUM AMERICANUM): A POTENT SOURCE FOR NATURAL ANTIOXIDANT

Objective: GC and GC MS based analysis of the essential oil from leaf samples of Ocimum americanum were done. The essential oil composition, In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of O. americanum were evaluated in this research to explore its potential for future use. Methods: The component identification was achieved by the GC–MS analysis. Radical-scavenging activities of the plant essential oil were determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was done using standard pathogenic strains in disc diffusion method. Results: GC and GC/MS analysis of the plant essential oil resulted in the identification of 19 compounds representing 100% of the oil. Citral (47.18%) and β - citral (36.57%) were the two major constituents. The essential oil subjected to analysis of its antioxidant activity using 2, 2- diphenyl-1-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) showed higher activity as compared to the standard. The oil was also screened for its antimicrobial activity and the inhibition was recorded against pathogenic microorganisms. Conclusion: Both the antimicrobial and anti oxidant activity of Ocimum americanum showed its potential for further use as natural antioxidant and preservative. Essential oil from the medicinal plants is one of the promising natural compounds for preparation of safer antimicrobial and antioxidant agent. Antioxidants conventionally used in food industries are obtained by chemical synthesis, but their use, reserved for certain categories of food is regulated by dose limits. Leaves of Ocimum americanum L. contain citral rich essential oil which is a potent source for natural antioxidants and biologically active compounds