Molecular Identification Using DNA Barcoding and Phytochemical Profiling in Four Basil (Ocimum spp.) from Different Locations in Bali

Abstract

Basil (Ocimum spp.) is a prominent aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, widely recognised for its essential oils. In Bali, various basil varieties are cultivated; however, their specific species have yet to be conclusively identified, leaving their potential bioactive compounds underexplored. This study aims to identify the species of four basil types found in Bali—Kecarum, Selasih, Tulasi, and Ruku-ruku—through genotypic analysis and to investigate their phytochemical profiles. Species identification was performed using DNA barcoding with the Maturase K (matK) gene as the molecular marker, followed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Phytochemical composition was examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The genotypic analysis revealed that all four basil types shared identical genotypes and originated from a common ancestor, as indicated by their positions in the phylogenetic tree and the clades they formed. Specifically, Kecarum and Selasih were genetically identical to Ocimum americanum with a genetic distance of 0.000, while Tulasi and Ruku-ruku corresponded to Ocimum campechianum, exhibiting a genetic distance of 0.011. GC-MS analysis identified a diverse range of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, phenolics, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, and tannins. Notable constituents included actinobolin, cyclotrisiloxane hexamethyl-, and methyleugenol. These compounds demonstrated a wide array of biological activities, including antioxidant, antibiotic, antihyperglycemic, antitumor, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anaesthetic, analgesic, biosurfactant, antibiofilm, anti-arrhythmic, and sympathomimetic properties.