Ocimum basilicum L.

Algerian flora contains a wide range of aromatic plants of great therapeutic interest thanks to their biologically active secondary metabolites which makes them a subject of scientific interest. In this work, we were interested in Ocimum basilicum L. of Lamiaceae family cultivated and harvested in Biskra city located at South-East of Algeria. Phytochemical screening has been per-formed to reveal the presence of flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, essential oil, and other phytochemicals. The contents of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total tannins have been determined.

In this study, the extraction of essential oils from basil leaves by solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) was conducted. The effect of some parameters of SFME method on the basil oil yield was determined. The obtaining results were compared to those obtained via microwave hydrodistillation (MHD) method. It was shown that SFME method provides higher yield and faster extraction time. Using GC-MS analysis it was found that basil oil has the highest content of E-citral and Z-citral. The optimal operating conditions for the basil oil extraction were determined.

Solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) is proposed as a method for “green” extraction of edible essential oils extensively used in the fragrance, flavour, and pharmaceutical industries and also in aromatherapy. It is a combination of microwave heating and dry distillation, performed at atmospheric pressure without adding any solvent or water. Isolation and concentration of volatile compounds are performed by a single stage. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) was extracted with SFME at atmospheric pressure and 373 K for 30 min.