US EPA

352751 

Journal Article 

Phytochemical Analysis, Elemental Determination and Some in vitro Antibacterial Activity of Ocimum basilicum L. Leaf Extracts 

Sanni, S; Onyeyili, PA; Sanni, FS 

2008 

2 

2 

77-83 

English 

Ocimum basilicum Linn (Lamiaceae) leaf extract was investigated for its chemical and elemental contents as well as its antibiotic effects. The aqueous soxhlet extract, which is normally used in folkloric medicine and the chloroform, n-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions were subjected to phytochemical screenings. Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous leaf extract revealed that the concentration of saponin and alkaloids were high, fiavonoids, terpenes and steroids were present in medium quantity, while traces of tannins and carbohydrates were also present in the aqueous extract. The phytochemical investigation of the various solvent fractions showed that all the three fractions contain carbohydrates, terpenes and steroids, tannins and fiavonoids. In addition, the chloroform and n-butanol fractions contain cardiac glycosides. The result showed high concentration of Na, K and SO sub(4), while those present in trace quantity include Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb. The extracts of O. basilicum were found to possess in vitro antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus species, salmonella species, shigella species, Pseudomonas aureginosa at high doses. In conclusion, this study has shown that Ocimum basilicum contain chemical elements that can be pharmacologically useful as well as possess some antibacterial properties. 

Article Subject Terms: Alkaloids; Antibacterial activity; Antibiotics; Carbohydrates; Cardiac glycosides; Chloroform; Ethyl acetate; Lead; Leaves; Manganese; Saponins; Solvents; Steroid hormones; Tannic acid; Terpenes; Zinc; Article Taxonomic Terms: Lamiaceae; Ocimum basilicum; Pseudomonas; Salmonella; Shigella; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus; W 30915 Pharmaceuticals & Vaccines; A 01340 Antibiotics &; Antimicrobials; J 02340 Antibiotics & Antimicrobials