title: Chemical characterization and genetic relationships among Ocimum basilicum L. cultivars.
abstract: Twenty-seven Ocimum basilicum cultivars were subjected to a chemical characterization of essential oil components by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and a genetic characterization using the amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. Since the same 27 accessions had previously been classified into six morphotypes, these analyses allowed us to make detailed comparisons of chemistry, genetics, and morphology. The chemical composition and morphology of the studied cultivars appeared to have a strong genetic component. The AFLP analysis revealed a distinction between the green and purple morphotypes. The green morphotypes predominantly utilized the terpene biosynthetic pathway, while most purple morphotypes primarily utilized the phenylpropene biosynthetic pathway. The GC/MS analysis led to identification of 87 volatiles. Among the 27 cultivars, five chemotypes were identified. A detailed characterization of the essential oil constituents indicated the existence of both specific combinations of compounds and 'private' compounds with the potential to be used in many aspects of human life. The established relationship between a genetic profile, chemical composition, and morphology represents an important step in future breeding programs and in the cultivation of this species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Division of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, HR-Zagreb.
authors.forename: Zlatko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liber
authors.forename: Klaudija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carović-Stanko
authors.forename: Olivera
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Politeo
authors.forename: Frane
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Strikić
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kolak
authors.forename: Mladen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milos
authors.forename: Zlatko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Satovic
mesh_terms: D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D018649:Ocimum basilicum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils