Research Article
Emma-Okon BO, Obonariemu FF, O
Abstract
Ocimum bacilicum is well known as a culinary herb, a rich source of nutrients and a folk remedy in alternative medical therapy. Although many studies have been carried out to determine its nutritional components, it is well known that this varies across different species and also depends on geographical location and type of soil on which the plant is cultivated. The present study seeks to determine levels of Ca, Na, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg and Cu in leaf extracts of Ocimum bacilicum leaves grown in Olupona, a suburb of Iwo, South-Western Nigeria. Plant leaves were washed, dried, ground into powder and extracted using standard procedures. The extract was digested using concentrated HCl. Levels of Na and K in the extract was determined using a flame photometer while atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine the levels of the other minerals. Levels of Na and K found in the extract was 41.38 and 12.37 mg/ml respectively while those of Ca, Fe, Mg, Zn, and Mn were 60.88, 6.58, 5.35,1.14 and 0.88 mg/ml, respectively. Cu was not detectable in the sample. The study concludes that the study plant contains very high levels of Ca and is also rich in other essential minerals.