Basil is a rich source of dietary antioxidants. Present study was conducted to study variation in bioactive compounds in different plant parts of lemon basil. Essential oil yield was higher (0.28%) in flowers followed by leaves and stem. TLC screening confirmed the presence of phenols, flavonoids and terpenes in stem, leaves and flowers. Leaves contained highest total phenols and flavonoids i.e., 215.43 mg GAE/100 g DW and 221 mg CE/100 g DW, respectively. Highly significant differences were observed for antioxidant activity among plant extract/essential oil, plant parts and different concentrations. Essential oil possessed higher antioxidant activity than plant extract and lemon basil leaves were found to be having highest antioxidant potential (65.62%) followed by flowers and stem.
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