ABSTRACT
The study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm
of the University of Benin, Benin City. Proximate analysis was carried out at
the Faculty of Agriculture laboratory to determine the nutritional components
of ocicum gratissimum. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete
block design with three replicates. Each block was divided into twenty-three
rows with 0.6m between the rows. Four Ocimum gratissimum varieties were
evaluated: G040220, G040221, G270114 and G250119. The variables measured for
this study include: moisture content, ash content, crude protein, crude fibre
and carbohydrate content and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus,
Iron and potassium. These variables were measured using their percentage
composition. It was observed that there were significant differences among the
varieties studied. Variety G040220 had the highest MC value and it is
comparable to G040221 but significantly different from the others. Variety
G040221 and G040220 had the highest crude fibre percentage values and were
significantly different the others. Variety G250109 having higher crude protein
indicates that it was improved to absorb more nitrogen from the soil. Variety
G250109 was also observed to have higher carbohydrate and fat content.
Therefore, it is recommended for farmers for higher nutritional performance.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Ocimum L. is a member of the labiatae family. The typical
characteristics of this family are square stem, opposite and decussate leaves
with many gland dots. The flowers are strongly zygormorphic with two distinct
lips. Many of the family, particularly subfamily Neptoideas to which ocimum
belongs, are strongly aromatic due to essential oils which consist of
monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenylpropanoids.
Ocimum unlike other economically important herbs in the
labiatae such as Rosmarinus, thymus and salvia, belongs to tribe ocimae which
has declinate stamens.that is stamens lie over the lower[anterior]lip of the
corolla rather than ascending under the upper [posterior]lip.
Ocimum was best described by Linnaeus in 1753 who listed
five[5] species .Bentham[1832]recognised just under 40 species and divided
ocimum into three[3]sections .ocimum [ocymodon benth] with appendiculate
posterior stamens;Hierocymum benth with hairs at the base of the posterior
stamens and gynmnocium benth with glabrous posterior stamens.The latter two
sections contained a few species which are now placed in EndostemonN.E.BR, a
genus bentham didn’t recognise or hemizygia. Bentham [1848] then subdivided
section section ocimum [ocymodon] into three subsections on the basis of calyx
morphology. In subset , ocimum [basilica sensu briquette 1897] the throat of
the calyx is open and bearded in subsect. Gratissima the throat is closed by
the median lobe of the lower lip,subsection hiantia benth, with truncate lateral
calyx lobes, only included species which are sometimes placed in becium [Sebald
1988,1989,paton 1995].Bentham[1848] also added sect ,hemizygia benth. Which
briquette [1897] considered to be a separate genus on account of the fused
anterior stamens. Paton [1992] in his revision of African species of ocimum
recognised around thirty [30] species and used bentham [1848] infragenic
classification of ocimum, with sect hemizygia and subset , hiantia removed,
preferring to consider the latter as the separate genus becium. This
classification is supported by nutlet characters which bentham did not and by
analysis of pollen morphology [Harley et al, 1992]. However this classification
is not entirely without problems, as pointed out [Paton 1992] ocimum drdnatum
A.J.paton doesn’t fit neatly into the existing categories.ocimum lamiifolium is
also anomalous , appearing to have a close relationship to orthosiphon subgenus
nautochilus [Bremek.]codd. Pushpangadan [1974,pushpangadan and bradu 1995,sobti
and pushpangadan 1979] formulated a different infragenic classification The
‘Basilicum’ group contains herbaceous annuals or sometimes or sometimes
perennials with black , ellipsoid, strongly mucilaginous seeds and with a basic
chromosome number of n=12 whereas the ‘sanctum’ group are perennial shrubs with
brown globose non-mucilaginous or weakly seeds and a basic chromosome number of
n=8.the basilicum group contains only section ocimum subsection ocimum. The
remainder of the genus must be placed in the sanctum group. This classification
is commonly used in the economic and industrial literature ,e.g barrah[1980],
pushpangadan and bradu [1995] whereas bentham system is the basis for that used
in taxonomic literature. Economically the most important taxon within ocimum is
section ocimum .the most heavily used species are o.basilicum, o.americanum,
and their hybrid o x citriodorum. These species are use d for essential oil
production and as pot herbs. O.kilmandscharicumis extensively grown in the
tropics for camphor production .O.gratissimum is grown for the essential oil in
its leaves and stems. Eugenol and to a lesser extent thymol extracted from the
oil are substitutes for clove oil and thyme oil. The whole plant and essential
oil have many applications in traditional medicine, especially in Africa and
india. Preparations from the whole plant are used as stomachic and in treating
sunstroke, headache and influenza .the seeds are have laxative properties and
are prescribed against gonorrhoea. the essential oil is applied against fever
inflammations of the throat. In Indonesia [Sumatra] a tea is made from the
leaves , while in Thailand the leaves are applied as a flavouring. In Indonesia
the eugenol-type of o.gratissimum is used in the ceremonial washing of corpses
and is planted in graveyards. In india o.gratissimum named ‘ram tulsi’ is
widely used in religious ceremonies and rituals.
Information on proximate analysis of basil is beneficial for
nutrition and medicinal benefits to man and formulation of a well balanced feed
for livestocks..