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Abstract
The current research work focuses on the characterization and biological activities (antibacterial, antioxidant and hemolytic) of essential oils isolated from the flowers of Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) from three different regions of Punjab, Pakistan. The yield of hydro distilled sweet basil flower essential oil (SBFEO) ranged from 0.40 to 0.54 % (w/w) across the regions. The SBFEOs showed considerable antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli and K. oxytoca. The results of DPPH (59.33-71.31%), TPC (13.46 to 57.75 GAE mg/100g) and TFC assays (3.99 to 21.72 CE mg/100g) also showed that SBFEOs have good antioxidant activity. Similarly, lower cytotoxic/ hemolytic effect (1.85 to 3.90%) of the tested SBFEOs also supported their safer nature as ingredient in food/medicinal products. GC/MS analyses of the oils reveal that estragole (56.57%), α-linalool (46.25%) and τ-cadinol (52.54%) are present as major components. The findings of this research work depicted significant variations in the yield, composition and biological activities of SBFEOs that can be linked to varying morphological features of the plants harvested from different agro-climatic regions.