GC-MS Assay to Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Ocimum basilicum L. and Detection Antibacterial Activity

Aim of the Study
This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Ocimum basilicum leaf extracts due to the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria. The objective is to explore standardized analytical methods for isolating novel bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, which may provide innovative solutions for combating harmful microorganisms.
Materials and Methods
The study involved the collection and preparation of O. basilicum leaves from Nasiriyah, Iraq. The leaves were cleaned, dried, and ground into powder. Twenty grams of the dried powder were mixed with 200 mL of ethanol and aqueous solvents, respectively, and subjected to ultrasonic extraction. The extracts were filtered, concentrated, and stored in sterile conditions. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using varying concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/mL) against bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.
Results
The ethanolic extract exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against S. aureus, with a zone of inhibition measuring 15.6 ± 1.52 mm at 100 mg/mL. The aqueous extract showed significant activity against P. aeruginosa, with an inhibition zone of 12.1 ± 0.28 mm at 75 mg/mL. Comparative analysis revealed that both extracts outperformed several tested antibiotics in terms of efficacy against the respective bacterial strains.
Conclusion
The findings indicate that O. basilicum extracts possess significant antimicrobial properties, making them potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics in treating bacterial infections. The study highlights the importance of these extracts in developing herbal formulations for antimicrobial applications, contributing to the field of alternative medicine.