Abstract Ocimum basilicum, which has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, is a potential medicinal plant. It is a medium size herb in the family Lamiaceae. The plant contains bioactive constituents like tannins, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Ocimum basilicum essential oil has been used traditionally against, nervous disorders and digestive troubles. This study was designed to investigate the constituents of Ocimum basilicum essential oil and to screen its antimicrobial potential. Ocimum basilicum was investigated by GC-MS analysis. The GC-MS analysis revealed the following major constituents: 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (40.77%); 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester (26.56%); hexdecanoic acid methyl ester(14.74%) and methyl stearate (9.83%). Ocimum basilicum essential oilwas evaluated for its antioxidant potential by the DPPPH assay. The oil showed good antioxidant activity against stable DPPH free radicals.
Keywords Ocimum basilicum, Essential oil, GC-MS analysis, Antioxidant Activity.