Identification of volatile components in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and thyme leaves (Thymus vulgaris L.) and their antioxidant properties

Seung Joo Lee, Katumi Umano, Takayuki Shibamoto, Kwang Geun Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

756 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aroma compounds in the extracts of basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum L.) and thyme leaves (Thymus vulgaris L.) were identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major aroma constituents of basil were 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol (linalool; 3.94 mg/g), 1-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl) benzene (estragole; 2.03 mg/g), methyl cinnamate (1.28 mg/g), 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (eugenol; 0.896 mg/g), and 1,8-cineole (0.288 mg/g). The major aroma constituents of thyme were 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol (thymol; 8.55 mg/g), 4-isopropyl-2-methylphenol (carvacrol; 0.681 mg/g), linalool (0.471 mg/g), α-terpineol (0.291 mg/g), and 1,8-cineole (0.245 mg/g). Twelve aroma constituents of basil and thyme were examined for their antioxidant activities using the aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay. Eugenol, thymol, carvacrol, and 4-allylphenol showed stronger antioxidant activities than did the other components tested in the assay. They all inhibited the oxidation of hexanal by almost 100% for a period of 30 days at a concentration of 5 μg/ml. Their antioxidant activities were comparable to those of the known antioxidants, α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)131-137
Number of pages7
JournalFood Chemistry
Volume91
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2005

Keywords

  • Aroma chemicals
  • Basil
  • Natural antioxidants
  • Thyme

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