Anamta Rizvi, Sailendra Kumar, Sangeeta Saxena*
Department of Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226025, India
Cite this article: Rizvi, A., Kumar, S., Saxena, S. 2024. Physicochemical evaluation of microgreens and mature leaves of Ocimum sanctum using mid-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. J. Appl. Sci. Innov. Technol. 3 (1), 33-40.
Highlights
- Ocimum sanctum has been utilized since years in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines.
- Functional group identification of phytocompounds has been studied by utilizing the FT-IR.
- Morphological characteristics of Ocimum sanctum has been studied by utilizing SEM.
- Microgreens of basil comparatively improved profiling as compared to mature basil leaves.
- Metabolites that directly or indirectly contribute to the basil microgreen’s therapeutic attributes.
Abstract
Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) has been proved to cure multiple ailments since ancient times. It has multiple health benefits in each part of the plant. Since past few years, microgreens are gaining attention of each segment of society and health sector industries due to their highly concentrated nutritional profiles. This research was conducted on a comparative study between microgreens and mature basil involving scanning electron microscopy/ energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. FT-IR analysis showed the occurrence of functional groups associated with several beneficial metabolites comparatively higher in concentrations in basil microgreens. SEM analysis showed the premature morphological structures in microgreen leaves with smaller oil glands, stomatal apertures and no trichomes as compared to the mature ones. Larger oil glands and stomatal apertures along with protective trichomes were observed in mature basil leaves. Elemental analysis using SEM-EDS revealed the higher percentage of elements like sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulphur in microgreens however, the amount of calcium were observed higher in mature basil.
Keywords: Ocimum sanctum; Microgreen; Phytocompounds; Health; Antioxidants
Scope: Biotechnology
