Evaluating the most effective antimicrobial extraction method and the variation amongst members of the basil (Ocimum basilicum) family

With the growing concern of antibiotic resistance worldwide, the search for new antimicrobial treatments has emerged in the medical community. A promising solution to this problem is using Labiate (mint family) herbs, which are known for their bioactive metabolites, including terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The purpose of this study is to further investigate the application of three varieties of basil plants, members of the Labiate family, to inhibit bacterial growth. The varieties studied were: purple basil (O. basilicum purpurascens), sweet basil (O. basilicum), and holy basil (O. basilicum tenuiflorum). Dry leaf extracts were prepared from the basil plants using two different extraction procedures. The extracts were then tested for their antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using the standard Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar plates. The resulting data suggests that there is a significant difference in the antibiotic activity of the extracts when compared to conventional antibiotic therapies, with minimal bacterial growth inhibition seen in all of the extracts. This study encourages further research on the pharmacological properties of basil plants, potentially using different extraction methods or different portions of the plants, to help develop effective and convenient alternatives to antibiotics amidst the antibiotic resistance crisis.