Since ages, many plants have been used for preservative and medicinal purposes due to the presence of secondary metabolites referred as Phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are biologically active plant compounds having disease hampering capabilities and preservative action. The genus Ocimumcontains more than 200 species of herbs and shrubs which have been shown to have medicinal properties and also are used as a culinary herb, preservative and flavoring agents. In this study chloroform extracts from the leaves of Ocimumgratissimum was investigated for their phytochemical constituent (both quantitative and qualitative) and antioxidant activity. GCMS analysis was carried out to ascertain the specific amount and specific active component present in the leaf sample.
The extract was screened for the presence of phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and Saponins. The test results were positive for all the phytochemicals,saponin and phytosterols which were absent qualitatively. The antioxidant activity was measured by the ferric reducing power assay, estimation of total flavonoids, saponins, tannins and phenols. The GC-MS analysis of the leaf sample suggested the presence ofthymol, alpha-carophyllene, phenol etc. The present investigation suggests that the phytochemical contents and antioxidant properties can be further studied for its application in health and in food industries. In addition, this plant can be used as a source of novel drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
