Hydroponic Basil Production: Temperature Influences Volatile Organic Compound Profile, but Not Overall Consumer Preference

Altering the growing temperature during controlled-environment production not only influences crop growth and development, but can also influence volatile organic compound (VOC) production and, subsequently, sensory attributes of culinary herbs. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the influence of mean daily temperature (MDT) and daily light integral (DLI) on key basil phenylpropanoid and terpenoid concentrations, (2) determine if differences in sensory characteristics due to MDT and DLI influence consumer preference, and (3) identify the sweet basil attributes consumers prefer. Thus, 2-week-old sweet basil ‘Nufar’ seedlings were transplanted into deep-flow hydroponic systems in greenhouses with target MDTs of 23, 26, 29, 32, or 35 °C and DLIs of 7, 9, or 12 mol·m−2·d−1. After three weeks, the two most recently mature leaves were harvested for gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and consumer sensory analysis. Panel evaluations were conducted through a sliding door with samples served individually while panelists answered Likert scale and open-ended quality attribute and sensory questions. The DLI did not influence VOC concentrations. Increasing MDT from 23 to 36 °C during production increased 1,8 cineole, eugenol, and methyl chavicol concentrations linearly and did not affect linalool concentration. The increases in phenylpropanoid (eugenol and methyl chavicol) were greater than increases in terpenoid (1,8 cineole) concentrations. However, these increases did not impact overall consumer or flavor preference. The MDT during basil production influenced appearance, texture, and color preference of panelists. Taken together, MDT during production influenced both VOC concentrations and textural and visual attribute preference of basil but did not influence overall consumer preference. Therefore, changing the MDT during production can be used to alter plant growth and development without significantly affecting consumer preference.

Development of New HS–SPME–GC–MS Technique to the Measurement of Volatile Terpenoid Profile of Milk

This study presented the development of such a HS–SPME–GC–MS technique, with the use of which, directly from the raw milk sample matrix, both qualitatively and quantitatively; the volatile terpenoids (α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, p-cymene, limonene, linalool, α-thujene, camphor, menthol, methyl chavicol, caryophyllene E, α-humulene) can be determined, derived from herbs eaten by the dairy animals by different feeding methods. Repeatability was less than 10% in the case of milk fat samples. The estimated limits of quantitation were between 2 and 16 ng/g. The lowest values were 2 ng/g for p-cymene and methyl chavicol; the highest value was 16 ng/g for caryophyllene. In the case of goat milk, the repeatability was better than 8% except for α-thujene. The estimated limits of quantitation were between 1 and 8 ng/g. The lowest values were 1 ng/g for β-pinene, p-cymene and limonene, and the highest value was 8 ng/g for linalool. In milk fat, the highest concentration was identified in caryophyllene E (470 ng/g) and α-humulene (430 ng/g), while the lowest concentration was in p-cymene (2 ng/g) and camphor (2 ng/g). In goat milk, limonene was present in all samples, but its amount varied depending on the type of consumed herb. Methyl chavicol and caryophyllene E were detected in goat’s milk only in one case. The former was detected in sage milk at 2.09 ng/g and the latter in tarragon milk at 2.28 ng/g. We have also successfully demonstrated that the feed consumed by dairy animals also affects the quality of dairy products.

The Effect of Myco-Biocontrol Based Formulates on Yield, Physiology and Secondary Products of Organically Grown Basil

The development of organic farming as a result of increasing consumer preference for organic food has led to the development and registration of new pest-control products for certified organic production. In this study, the effects of three biocontrol products containing spores and mycelium of Arthrobotrys oligospora—Artis®, Beauveria bassiana—Bora®, and Coniothyrium minitans—Öko-ni® were tested on four basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars: ‘Aromat de Buzau’, ‘Serafim’, ‘Macedon’ and ‘Cuisoare’. The application of Öko-ni® increased basil yields by 8% relative to Control. The application of Bora® increased chlorophyll content of basil leaves by 2% and the activity of photosynthesis by 66% relative to the Control. Basil essential oil (EO) content was increased by 18% with the application of Artis® and by 34% with the application of Bora® and Öko-ni®, respectively. The content of phenolic compounds analyzed by HPLC varied; caffeic acid concentration was higher in the plants treated with Öko-ni®, hyperoside, isoquercitrin and rutin concentrations were higher in those treated with Artis®, while the quercitrin content was higher in Bora®-treated plants. The two main EO constituents that were identified were linalool and methyl chavicol in ‘Aromat de Buzau’, linalool and eugenol in ‘Serafim’, neral and geranial in ‘Macedon’, also linalool and eugenol in ‘Cuisoare’. The investigated myco-biocontrol products had positive effects on basil fresh biomass and EO content and also influenced the content of phenolic compounds.

Electrophysiological, Behavioural and Biochemical Effect of Ocimum Basilicum Oil and Its Constituents Methyl Chavicol and Linalool on Musca Domestica L.

The Ocimum basilicum essential oil (EO) was evaluated for its biological effect on M. domestica. Characterization of O. basilicum EO revealed the presence of methyl chavicol (70.93%), linalool (9.34%), epi-α-cadinol (3.69 %), methyl eugenol (2.48%), γ-cadinene (1.67%), 1,8-cineole (1.30%) and (E)-β-ocimene (1.11%). The basil EO and its constituents methyl chavicol and linalool caused the neuronal response in female adults of M. domestica. Adult female flies showed reduced preference to food source laced with basil EO and methyl chavicol. Substrate treated with EO and methyl chavicol at 0.25% caused an oviposition deterrence of over 80%. The ovicidal effect was high in O. basilicum EO (EC50 9.74mg/dm3) followed by methyl chavicol (EC50 10.67mg/dm3) and linalool (EC50 13.57mg/dm3. On contact toxicity, adults exposed to EO (LD50 10.01 μg/adult) were more susceptible than to methyl chavicol and linalool (LD50 13.62 μg/adult and LD50 43.12 μg/adult respectively). EO and its constituents methyl chavicol and linalool induced the detoxifying enzymes Carboxyl esterase (Car E) and Glutathione S – transferases (GST)

Essential oils from Ocimum basilicum cultivars: analysis of their composition and determination of the effect of the major compounds on Haemonchus contortus eggs

The continuous use of synthetic anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) has resulted in the increased resistance, which is why alternative methods are being sought, such as the use of natural products. Plant essential oils (EOs) have been considered as potential products for the control of GINs. However, the chemical composition and, consequently, the biological activity of EOs vary in different plant cultivars. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of EOs from cultivars of Ocimum basilicum L. and that of their major constituents against Haemonchus contortus. The EOs from 16 cultivars as well the pure compound linalool, methyl chavicol, citral and eugenol were used in the assessment of the inhibition of H. contortus egg hatch. In addition, the composition of three cultivars was simulated using a combination of the two major compounds from each. The EOs from different cultivars showed mean Inhibition Concentration (IC50) varying from 0.56 to 2.22 mg/mL. The cultivar with the highest egg-hatch inhibition, Napoletano, is constituted mainly of linalool and methyl chavicol. Among the individual compounds tested, citral was the most effective (IC50 0.30 mg/mL). The best combination of compounds was obtained with 11% eugenol plus 64% linalool (IC50 0.44 mg/mL), simulating the Italian Large Leaf (Richters) cultivar. We conclude that different cultivars of O. basilicum show different anthelmintic potential, with cultivars containing linalool and methyl chavicol being the most promising; and that citral or methyl chavicol isolated should also be considered for the development of new anthelmintic formulations.

A REVIEW of Anisoon (Pimpinella anisum Linn) WITH UNANI PRESPECTIVE AND MODERN ON PHARMACOLOGICAL

Anisoon, Pimpinella anisun is a plant which belongs to umbellifera family. In unani medicine it is also known as anisun. It is usually grown for its seeds (aniseeds). It isan annualgrassyherb. Since centuries its extract of seed it has been used in unani medicine which is a colorless and pale-yellow liquid in nature which has a particular odor and taste. It contains 1.5 to 3.5% volatile oil, 10% fixed oil, protein mucilage and starch. Anisun oil is also used an essential oil which contains transethanol methyl chavicol anisaldehyde estragole coumarins scopoletin umbelliferon estrol etc. Its therapeutic uses in unani medicineare in sailanur reham (leucorrhea), sudade jigar wa tihal masana wa rahem, istisqa (ascites), bawasir specially bawasir e rehi (piles), qillate laban (insufficiency of lactation), darde shikam (abdominal pain), dama (asthma), nazla (common cold), laqwa (facial palsy), istarkhaeye (paralysis), dawar (vertigo) this present article reviews about all unani literature about Anisoon.

Intercropping System and N2 Fixing Bacteria Can Increase Land Use Efficiency and Improve the Essential Oil Quantity and Quality of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Intercropping fodder plants with medicinal plants, in addition to enhancing productivity, can remarkably reduce the population of weeds, pests and diseases and for naturally meeting of livestock medicinal needs. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate biological yield, essential oil (EO) composition and yield of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) treated with N2 fixing bacteria in additive intercropping with forage maize during the 2018 and 2019. Treatments were arranged in factorial split-plot-in time in randomized complete block design with three replications. The factors were 100% chemical fertilizer (N), N2 fixing bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Azotobacter chroococcum), integration of N2 fixing bacteria + 50% nitrogen chemical fertilizer and control. The cropping pattern factor included of sole cropping basil and the additive intercropping of maize + 25% basil, maize + 50% basil, maize + 75% basil, and maize + 100% basil. The results indicated that the highest essential oil yield (30.8 kg ha−1) and essential oil percentage (0.75%) were obtained in sole cropping with A. brasilense and A. chroococcum + 50% chemical nitrogen fertilizer application in second harvest in 2019. In both cropping systems, the N2 fixing bacteria application significantly increased fresh and dry yield and land equivalent ratio (LER) as compared to control plants. In both years of experiments could remarkably vary depending on type of treatment. In both years, eight constituents including methyl chavicol (17.24–51.28%), Z-citral (neral) (8.33–24.3%), geranial (10.2–31.3%), (E)-caryophyllene (1.05–5.64%), α-trans-bergamotene (0.53–1.7%), α-humulene (0.4–1.69%), germacrene-D (0.2–1.88%), and (Z)-α- bisabolene (1.16–3.86%) were the main constituents of EO. The highest content of methyl chavicol was found through sole cropping of sweet basil with nitrogen chemical fertilizer followed by sole cropping of sweet basil with an integration of A. brasilense and A. chroococcum + 50% nitrogen chemical fertilizer in 2018 and 2019. Intercropping system and N2 fixing bacteria can be effective in reducing chemical fertilizer consumption and environmental pollution and achieving the sustainable agriculture goals.