Methyleugenol in Ocimum basilicum L. Cv. genovese gigante

Ocimum basilicum cv. Genovese Gigante is the basil cultivar used the most in the production of a typical Italian sauce called pesto. The aromatic composition of plants at different growth stages was determined. Plants from different areas of northwestern Italy were analyzed at 4 and 6 weeks after sowing and showed methyleugenol and eugenol as the main components. The content of these compounds was correlated with plant height rather than plant age. Particularly, methyleugenol was predominant in plants up to 10 cm in height, whereas eugenol was prevalent in taller plants. These results are important in the evaluation of risk to human health posed by dietary ingestion of methyleugenol contained in pesto.     

Purification and characterization of Ocimum basilicum L. polyphenol oxidase

A partial characterization of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in Ocimum basilicum L. is described. PPO in O. basilicum L. was extracted and purified through (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, dialysis, and a Sepharose 4B-l-tyrosine-p-aminobenzoic acid affinity column. The samples obtained from (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and dialysis were used for the characterization of PPO. At the end of purification by affinity chromatography, 11.5-fold purification was achived. The purified enzyme exhibited a clear single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be approximately 54 kDa. The contents of total phenolic and protein of O. basilicum L. extracts were determined. The total phenolic content of O. basilicum L. was determined spectrophotometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and was found to be 280 mg 100 g(-1) on a fresh weight basis. The protein content was determined according to the Bradford method. The enzyme showed activity to 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol substrates, but not to tyrosine. Therefore, of these three substrates, 4-methylcatecol was the best substrate due to the highest V(max)/K(m) value, followed by pyrogallol and catechol. The optimum pH was at 6, 8, and 9 for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol, respectively. The enzyme had an optimum temperature of 20, 40, and 50 degrees C for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol, respectively. It was found that optimum temperature and pH were dependent on the substrates studied. The enzyme activity with increasing temperature and inactivation time for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol substrates decreased due to heat denaturation of the enzyme.     

Yield and oil composition of 38 basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) accessions grown in Mississippi

A field experiment was conducted to assess yield, oil content, and composition of 38 genotypes of sweet basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.). Overall, biomass yields were high and comparable to those reported in the literature. However, basil genotypes differed significantly with respect to oil content and composition. Oil content of the tested accessions varied from 0.07% to 1.92% in dry herbage. On the basis of the oil composition, basil accessions were divided into seven groups: (1) high-linalool chemotype [19-73% (-)-linalool], (2) linalool-eugenol chemotype [six chemotypes with 28-66% (-)-linalool and 5-29% eugenol], (3) methyl chavicol chemotype [six accessions with 20-72% methyl chavicol and no (-)-linalool], (4) methyl chavicol-linalool chemotype [six accessions with 8-29% methyl chavicol and 8-53% (-)-linalool], (5) methyl eugenol-linalool chemotype [two accessions with 37% and 91% methyl eugenol and 60% and 15% (-)-linalool], (6) methyl cinnamate-linalool chemotype [one accession with 9.7% methyl cinnamate and 31% (-)-linalool], and (7) bergamotene chemotype [one accession with bergamotene as major constituent, 5% eucalyptol, and <1% (-)-linalool]. Our results demonstrated that basil could be a viable essential oil crop in Mississippi. The availability of various chemotypes offers the opportunity for production of basil to meet the market requirements of specific basil oils or individual compounds such as (-)-linalool, eugenol, methyl chavicol, methyl cinnamate, or methyl eugenol.     

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and potassium fertilization

The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of potassium (K) fertilization and soil texture on total yield (1st and 2nd cuttings) and yield components of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized statistical design. Basil growth was examined in two different textured soils under three different doses of K fertilization. Generally, for the basil grown under clay soil conditions, moderate amounts of K fertilization is proposed to be sufficient if higher linalool contents are wanted. However, if the growing conditions are sandy loam in texture, it is suggested that higher doses of K be used. Results also highlighted the contribution of second cut as an important cultural practice in the cultivation of an annual basil.     

Phenolics composition and antioxidant activity of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) was examined using different in vitro assay model systems. The crude extract was fractionated on a Sephadex LH-20 column, and six fractions were identified. The DPPH scavenging assay system and the oxidation of the soy phosphotidylcholin liposome model system were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of each fraction. Fraction IV showed the strongest activity followed by fractions V and VI. Phenolic compounds responsible for the antioxidative activity of the fractions were characterized by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major antioxidant compound in fraction IV was confirmed as rosmarinic acid by (1)H NMR and characteristic fragmentations in the mass spectrum. Moreover, the native of antioxidant activity of rosmarinic acid in the liposome system was examined. The results showed that one rosmarinic acid can capture 1.52 radicals, and furthermore, the existence of a synergistic effect between alpha-tocopherol and rosmarinic acid was revealed.     

Cadmium accumulation and partitioning in Ocimum basilicum as influenced by the application of various potassium fertilizers

Potassium (K) is one of the major essential nutrient elements whose application of organic or nano-chelate-fertilizers has received increased attention recently. Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils and environment is increasing due to the over-application of Cd-containing phosphate fertilizers. But few studies have been carried out on the environmental influences of K-nano-chelate fertilizers especially on Cd-polluted soils. Therefore, the effects of K-fertilizer application in different rates (0, 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 soil) and forms (KCl, K₂SO₄ and K-nano-chelate) on Cd content and partitioning in Ocimum basilicum grown on an artificially Cd-contaminated calcareous soil (with 40 mg Cd kg^?1 soil) were studied under greenhouse conditions. Cadmium decreased shoot dry weight (SDW), but did not affect root dry weight (RDW) and no consistent trend was observed with applied K. Cadmium increased shoot and root Cd concentration or uptake. KCl and K₂SO₄ increased shoot Cd concentration compared to that of control, whereas K-nano-chelate did not affect it. In Cd-treated soils the mean value of Cd translocation factor (ratio of Cd concentration in shoots to that of roots) decreased by 60% as compared to that of the control. Application of 100 mg K-K₂SO₄ and 100 and 200 mg K-nano-chelate increased the Cd translocation factor by 49, 59 and 112% in Cd-treated soils, respectively. In Cd-treated soils, greater amounts of Cd accumulated in roots. K-nano-chelate could mitigate the adverse effect of Cd on SDW and Cd accumulation in plants grown on Cd-polluted soils, so the risk of Cd entrance to the food chain is reduced (however, in Cd-untreated soils, K-nano-chelate increased the Cd translocation factor higher than other K sources). In Cd-polluted soils KCl was the most inappropriate fertilizer that may intensify Cd accumulation in plants. However, it may be useful in the phytoremediation of Cd-polluted soils.     

Ocimum basilicum L. growth and nutrient status as influenced by biochar and potassium-nano chelate fertilizers

In sustainable agriculture, the protection of environment against pollution is the main goal for consumers. Nowadays, the overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, are one of the main causes of environmental pollution. It is claimed that incorporation of organic compound into soil enhances nutrient availability and plant productivity. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effects of 0%, 1.5% and 3% cattle manure biochar and 0, 300 and 600 mg K-nano chelate kg^?1 soil on agronomic properties and nutrient status of Ocimum basilicum L. Biochar increased leaf area and plant height, significantly. Application of 1.5% and 3% biochar increased fresh weight by 40% and 42% and dry weight by 50% and 49%, respectively. Addition of 3% biochar increased P, K and Mn concentrations by 45%, 17% and 109%, respectively. Biochar increased N, P, K, Zn and Mn uptake, significantly. Addition of 300 mg K increased dry weight by 15%; while application of 600 mg K decreased it. Application of 300 and 600 mg K-nano chelate increased K and Zn concentration and K uptake significantly. Furthermore, 300 mg K increased Cu and Zn uptake. In order to achieve sustainable agricultural productions, biochar application is recommended especially in the soils of arid and semiarid regions.     

生物炭和炭基肥施用对绿地土壤性质及大叶罗勒生长特性的影响

城市绿地土壤理化性质退化是城市绿化景观效果提升的主要障碍因子,生物炭和炭基肥施用可有效提高农田土壤肥力和作物产量,但生物炭和炭基肥对城市绿地土壤肥力和绿化植物生长的影响目前还不明确。采用盆栽试验,分别设置生物炭和炭基肥添加0%、0.5%、1%、2%、4%和6%的处理,探究不同用量生物炭和炭基肥施用对绿地土壤物理、化学性质以及大叶罗勒生长的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,添加生物炭降低了土壤容重,而炭基肥对土壤容重影响较小。添加生物炭对土壤pH无显著影响,而添加炭基肥能显著降低土壤pH 0.23～1.09个单位;添加生物炭对土壤碱解氮无显著影响,而添加炭基肥显著增加土壤碱解氮含量4.78～53.55 mg/kg;生物炭和炭基肥均能显著增加土壤有效磷含量,增加幅度分别为1.26～6.05和1.11～8.51 mg/kg;生物炭和炭基肥增加土壤速效钾的幅度分别为22.6～326.9和43.2～174.7 mg/kg。添加生物炭和炭基肥后土壤阳离子交换量较对照分别升高了0.79～1.27和1.16～2.42 cmol/kg。与对照相比,炭基肥能提高大叶罗勒叶绿素含量,生物炭对大叶罗勒叶绿素含量无显著影响。生物炭添加量大于1%时大叶罗勒生物量显著增加,炭基肥添加量小于2%时大叶罗勒生物量显著增加。因此,添加生物炭具有改善绿地土壤物理性质;生物炭和炭基肥均能提高土壤保肥性,改善土壤性状;生物炭和炭基肥均能提高土壤速效氮磷钾养分含量;综合作物生长,推荐炭基肥用量不能超过1%,而生物炭改良园林土壤可与适量氮肥配合施用以增加绿化植物叶绿素含量和观     

Frequency distribution of several trace metals in 72 corn plants grown together in contaminated soil in a glasshouse

Abstract

A 9‐kg quantity of Yolo loam soil was contaminated in sequence with (In μg/g soil) 100 Cd, 100 Zn, 100 Co, 12.5 Li, and 100 Ni. Corn (Zea mays L. C. V. Golden Cross N. C. ) was grown together in the soil for 22 days from seed. Seventy‐two harvested plants were assayed separately. Several different trace metals were tested for normal and loge frequency distribution patterns. Some followed log_e normal distribution more closely than a normal distribution as indicated by kurtosis values. Two followed normal distribution more closely than log_e normal distribution. Some negative skewness was observed with the log_e normal distribution, but only that for Co was significant. The yields of the plants were significantly and negatively correlated with the concentrations of Ni, Co, Cu, and Cd in shoots. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that it was reasonably Possible to determine which of the trace metals of the mixture caused phytotoxicity. Some pairs of trace metals were highly and positively correlated: Zn‐Cu, Zn‐Cd, Cu‐Cd, Mn‐Li, Co‐Ni, Co‐Cd are examples. The mixed trace metals decreased shoot concentrations of P and Mo and increased Al and Ti relative to control plants not receiving added metals. The Si was also decreased by trace metals and was positively related to yields.     

Flavor volatiles and physical properties of vacuum-microwave- and air-dried sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.).

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) was dried using conventional hot air or the recently developed vacuum-microwave dryers. The effect of the drying method on the relative abundance of major flavor volatiles, rehydration rate, color, and structural integrity of the plant was evaluated. Dynamic headspace analysis of volatiles present in fresh or dried basil revealed that linalool and methylchavicol (estragole) were the two major headspace volatile compounds of the plant sample. Vacuum-microwave dehydrated basil yielded approximately 2.5 times the linalool and 1.5 times the methylchavicol of the air-dried samples. Furthermore, the vacuum-microwave-treated samples yielded more volatiles than fresh basil, due to chemical reactions during drying. Air-dried samples of basil had darker and fewer green hues than those prepared by vacuum microwave. Vacuum-microwave-dried samples had a higher rehydration rate, whereas the potential of the plant material to rehydrate was hindered in air-dried samples. This is likely attributed to the dramatic and pronounced structural collapse of the air-dried cells as revealed by the scanning electron microscope.     

Effects of swine wastewater irrigation on soil properties and accumulation of heavy metals and antibiotics

Journal of Soils and Sediments - More and more wastewater is used to irrigate in many regions as an alternative resources due to the growing shortage of global water. However, little documented...     

Effect of methyl jasmonate on secondary metabolites of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in terms of its induction of inherent bioactive chemicals in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) was evaluated after MeJA was sprayed on healthy basil plants. The total phenolic content of the sweet basil significantly increased after 0.1 and 0.5 mM MeJA treatments compared with the control not subjected to MeJA. Two phenolic compounds, rosmarinic acid (RA) and caffeic acid (CA), were identified as strong antioxidant constituents of the sweet basil. Their amounts also significantly increased after the MeJA treatment. In addition, eugenol and linalool increased 56 and 43%, respectively, by the 0.5 mM MeJA treatment. Due to the accumulation of RA, CA, and eugenol, which possess strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) free radical scavenging activities, the antioxidant activity of the sweet basil extract was 2.3-fold greater than that of the control after the 0.5 mM MeJA treatment. In the DPPH* assay, the EC50 values of RA, CA, and eugenol were determined as 23, 46, and 59 microM, respectively, which indicated they were 6-, 3-, and 2.4-fold more efficient than BHT (140 microM). Besides, an unidentified HPLC peak in the methanolic extract of the sweet basil was 4.3-fold higher than that of the control after the 0.5 mM MeJA treatment.     

Effect of chitosan on the biological properties of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The effect of the treatment of chitosan at various concentrations (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1%) upon sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) before seeding and transplanting was investigated in aspects of the amount of phenolic and terpenic compounds, antioxidant activity, and growth of the basil, as well as the phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity. The total amount of the phenolic and terpenic compounds increased after the chitosan treatment. Especially, the amounts of rosmarinic acid (RA) and eugenol increased 2.5 times and 2 times, respectively, by 0.1% and 0.5% chitosan treatment. Due to the significant induction of phenolic compounds, especially RA, the corresponding antioxidant activity assayed by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging test increased at least 3.5-fold. Also, the activity of PAL, a key regulatory enzyme for the phenylpropanoid pathway, increased 32 times by 0.5% chitosan solution. Moreover, after the elicitor chitosan treatment, the growth in terms of the weight and height of the sweet basil significantly increased about 17% and 12%, respectively. Our study demonstrates that an elicitor such as chitosan can effectively induce phytochemicals in plants, which might be another alternative and effective means instead of genetic modification.     

Nitrogen accumulation in nodulated and non‐nodulated pea plants,grown in a sandy soil at different acidities

Abstract

The growth of nitrate‐supplied and dinitrogen‐fixing pea plants was studied in a pot experiment with a sandy soil in a pH‐H_?O range from 3.4 to 5.6. Optimum growth in both treatments occurred at pH 5.0. At low pH, N₂‐plants yielded significantly less than NO₃‐plants. Planting of nodulated seedlings did not enhance yield in comparison with sowing in inoculated soil, indicating that nodulation was not the most sensitive process in restricting yield. Comparison of the nitrogen contents of shoots of planted and sown N₂‐plants allowed the suggestion that the synthesis of nitrogenous compounds was also not limiting yield. At low pH, root growth was severely reduced in dinitrogen‐fixing plants in comparison with nitrate‐supplied plants. This difference could be explained by the influence of the form of nitrogen nutrition on the cation‐anion uptake pattern of the plant and the resulting pH‐shift in the rhizosphere. It is to be expected that in an acid soil under field conditions the indirect effect of nitrate on root growth and nodulation via increase of the pH is more extensive than its direct negative effect on nodulation.     

Effect of Poultry Manure on Yield and Nutrient Composition of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Poultry manure is one of the best organic fertilizers available and is an extremely valuable resource, organic matter content, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, and percent base saturation. Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) is an essential oil producing crop used in culinary and fragrance applications. The objective of this present study was to evaluate the effects of organic poultry manure and conventional fertilization on plant growth, yield and inorganic matter content of sweet basil. In this context, the different doses of chicken and turkey manure (7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 t ha^?1) with a control (no manure) and conventional fertilization were applied with sowing. The highest fresh and dry weights were obtained from the plants grown with turkey and chicken manure at a rate of 10–12.5 t ha^?1. The most of the nutrient content varied significantly with organic poultry manure applications. Overall, basil plants fertilized with turkey manure at a rate of 10–12.5 t ha^?1 and 7.5 t ha^?1 chicken manure dose accumulated greater concentrations of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). The results from this study demonstrated that organic or conventional fertilizer can alter fresh or dry weight, and the nutrient content.     

Amelioration of salinity stress in different basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) varieties by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Although the salt resistance mechanisms in plants have received much consideration for many years, varieties’ differences affecting salt resistance are still unsettled. Within the Ocimum genus there occur about 200 species in different varieties and forms. A pot experiment was performed to better understand salt stress responses in crop plants; we compared the impacts of salinity stress on growth and physio-biochemical characteristics in three varieties of basil (Ocimum basilicum) var. odoratus, O. b. var. alba and O. b. var. purpurascens) grown under four levels of salinity stress (0, 50, 100, and 150?mM NaCl) with mycorrhiza (Glomus clarum Nicol. &; Schenck) or without. Results showed significant differences within salinity treatments in all cultivars studied. In this study, the biomass production and physio-biochemical parameters of all cultivars reduced with raised salinity levels except concentration of reducing sugars, sodium, and proline at 150 mM of NaCl, only the variety ‘purpurascens’ didn't show reduction and observed resistant against severe salinity. The colonization of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi enhanced the biomass production and accumulation of nutrients, reducing sugars, total soluble carbohydrates, photosynthetic pigments, proline, and protein by reducing Na. This study should help understand the function of AMF fungi in basil cultivars’ tolerance to salinity stress.     

Solubility and uptake of heavy metals from a Swedish soil

Samples of the surface layer (Ap) and of grass, collected from: (1) grass ley fertilized in the normal way; (2) permanent pasture fertilized in the normal way; and (3) permanent pasture treated with large amounts of sewage sludge five years earlier, were analysed for Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Pb, and Cd.The soil samples were extracted with: (1) distilled water saturated with CO₂; (2) 1 M neutral ammonium acetate; (3) ammonium acetate + acetic acid, pH 4.75; and (4) 2 M nitric acid on a waterbath. The efficiency of these extractants differed greatly and, in relative values, was: 1 for H₂O + CO₂, 3.4 for NH₄OAc, 20.7 for NH₄OAc + HOAc, and 343 for 2 M HNO_3- The dissolving effects of the extractants differed markedly with the kind of element.Grass from the field treated with sewage sludge showed much higher contents of Mn and Zn and somewhat higher contents of Cu and Pb than grass from the untreated field. The levels of Cr, Co, Ni, and Cd were practically uninfluenced by the treatment. Grass from a field close to a highway accumulated large amounts of air-borne Pb and Cd during the summer.It is concluded that the total contents of heavy metals in soils have only limited importance for the uptake by plants. Weak extractants therefore give better information about the plant-available amounts in soils.