title: Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of traditional green and purple "Napoletano" basil cultivars (Ocimum basilicum L.) from Campania region (Italy).
abstract: The present study is the first effort to a comprehensive evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of 'Napoletano' green and purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) varieties. The results obtained revealed that the basil sample extracts were characterised by a generally higher polyphenolic concentration than those reported elsewhere for other more conventional and geographically different basil varieties. Napoletano purple basil revealed higher radical-scavenging and ferric-reducing capacities than the green one probably due to its relevant anthocyanin content. As regards the antimicrobial properties, both basil varieties exhibited activity against a broad spectrum of food-borne and human pathogenic micro-organisms, revealing not only a moderate to high natural preserving capacity, but also potentially beneficial influence on human health. Results indicated Napoletano green and purple basils as a good source of antioxidants of potential nutraceutical interest.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Tenore
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences , University of Salerno , Salerno , Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Campiglia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciampaglia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Izzo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Novellino
mesh_terms: D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000032:analysis; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D007558:Italy; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018649:Ocimum basilicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: antimicrobial; antioxidant; polyphenolics; ‘Napoletano’ basils