Comparative Study of Volatile Compounds from Genus Ocimum (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION The genus Ocimum is ranked high among some of the astonishing herbs for having enormous medicinal potentialities. Previous studies show that there are large numbers of species and varieties falls in this genus (1-5). Several authors recognize more than 60-150 species in the genus. Characterizations of each species in this genus (family Lamiaceae) are based on the leaves and habitat (1). The shape of the leaves in Ocimum Sanctum and its close relatives varies in size of leaves, vein and petioles. The colours of the leaves vary from bright green to dark green and sometime almost black. Though the colours in the plants vary, but the reason behind it, especially in basils, are not being studied yet. Regular occurrence of the interspecific hybridization within the genus, have created taxonomic challenges, leaving very little publications on basil taxonomy which follows the International Code of Botanical nomenclature (1), (2). Due to the difficulties in identifying the species, Massimo et al. (2004) has concluded that identification can be optimized by combined analysis of morphological traits, essential oil composition and molecular markers (2).