Characterization of fatty acid composition of seed oil of Ocimum species/chemotypes
2020
Raina, Archana P. | Misra, R.C.
Ocimum species have been widely used in traditional medicine both as herb as well as seeds. The aim of the present study was to characterize seed oil content and fatty acid composition of five Ocimum species viz; Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum citriodorum Vis., Ocimum gratissimum L., Ocimum americanum L., Ocimum tenuoflorum L. comprising six essential oil chemotypes. Significant variations are observed in the seed oil content and composition among Ocimum species ranging from 10.95% to 21.37% w/w. The physico-chemical properties of the basil oil were assessed by standard methods. Results of fatty acid profiling of methylated oil by GC and GC-MS revealed predominant presence of poly unsaturated fatty acids of αlinolenic acid and linoleic acid similar to linseed oil. Oil composition showed presence of four major fatty acids among all the species; linolenic (55.79-72.95%), linoleic (17.44-26.91%), stearic acid (2.27-7.07%), and palmitic acid (6.43-15.73%). High linolenic acid content was observed among all the Ocimum species and chemotypes with highest content in O. citriodorum (66.69-72.95%) followed by O. americanum (57.96-71.98%). Eugenol rich chemotypes showed slightly lower content of linolenic acid in O. gratissimum (58.05-60.10%) and O. tenuifolium (55.79-62.79%). Basil seed oil may be alternative good source for several industrial applications, especially for applications that require linolenic and linoleic acid. A high linolenic acid oil, could be used in the paint, varnish and ink industries, while oils with lower linolenic acid content can be used by the food industry.
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