R. SELVARAJU*, P. SAKUNTALA**^#, KALEEM AHMED JALEELI***

*Physics Section, FEAT, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, drselvarajufeatau@gmail.com
**Department of Physics and Electronics, RBVVR Women’s’ College, Narayanaguda, Hyderabad, T.S., India
***Department of Physics, Nizam College, O.U., Hyderabad, T.S., India, kaleemjaleeli@gmail.com

The objective of present research work was to identify bioactive chemical compounds with their functional groups and trace elements in the leaves of four varieties of Ocimum species plants, namely, Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum kilimandcharicum, Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum tenuiflorum using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) techniques. The chemical constituents with their functional groups were determined by GC-MS and FTIR. The leaves of Ocimum species plants are rich in various bioactive chemical constituents (eugenol, flavone, caryophyllene, palmitic acid, oleic acid, phytol, camphor, artemisinin, limiflavine). FTIR analysis revealed the presence of alcohols, carboxylic acids, alkanes, alkenes, alkyl halides, aliphatic amines and carotenoids. The results of ICP-OES indicated the presence of calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, copper, iron and zinc. The results indicated the presence of bioactive chemical constituents and trace elements help to minimize the health disorders. Medicinal formulation of these plants can be designed taking into consideration these elements and chemical compounds profile and provides some scientific basis in the preparation of medicines.

Key words: Chemical compounds, eugenol, functional groups, Ocimum species, oleic acid, camphor.

Corresponding author’s e-mail: sakuntalap71@yahoo.com