Chemical Components of Essential Oils from Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Grown at Different Nitrogen Levels

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determined essential oil content and componets of Ocimum basilicum L. grown
under four nitrogen applications (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1). This research was carried out at the experimental fields of
Field Crops Department at Agricultural Faculty of Ankara University in 2006. The essential oil content obtained using a
Clevenger-type apparatus was analyzed by GC-MS, to determine individual components in essential oil. Average
essential oil contents from four applications were ranged from 0.46% in the 100 kg N ha-1 application to 0.48% in the 50
kg N ha-1 and 150 kg N ha-1 applications. The highest essential oil ratio was recorded in the second cutting of control
(0.53 %), followed by 50 kg N ha-1 (0.50%) and 100 kg N ha-1 (0.50%) applications. Major components of basil
investigated were linalool and naphthalene. The essential oil components of plants exhibited different profiles with
respect to nitrogen applications. Average linalool content ranged from 57.93% in the 100 kg N ha-1 application to 61.10%
in the control and 150 kg N ha-1 application. The highest and lowest average naphthalene content were 13.87% in the 50
kg N ha-1 application and 11.58% 150 kg N ha-1 application, respectively.