Secondary Metabolism Compounds Study of Essential Oils for the Mentha spicata L. and Ocimum basilicum L.

Abstract

Background: The mint and basil plants (M. spicata L. and O. basilicum L.) of the labiate family were used in the study. Methods: A qualitative chemical detection regarding several active chemicals in the leaves of M. spicata L. and O. basilicum L. was part of the investigation. Results: The findings revealed that both species include flavonoids and glycosides, yet tannins and saponins were not found in the leaves extract of O. basilicum, and volatile oils were found in the alcoholic extract at a rate of 4.5% in the leaves of O. basilicum. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) was used to detect six chemical active groups include (O-H, C=H, C=C, C=N, C-O, C-N). Our findings revealed the presence of alkaloid; the extraction yield for volatile oils in M. spicata species is 3%. As for the presence of nutrients in the type, the highest percentage of Calcium is in species O. basilicum. Conclusions: The presence of effective chemical compounds in O. basilicum and M. spicata leaves indicates its importance as a source of useful drugs and the importance of chemical components in the pharmaceutical industries, as well as enhancing the importance of its use in folk medicine as a safe treatment for many diseases.