Basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) is an economically significant medicinal and aromatic species valued for its diverse phytochemical profile and essential oil (EO) composition. Despite its economic importance, there is a critical need to characterize genetic resources to identify stable, high-yielding genotypes adapted to specific environmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical diversity and industrial potential of 90 basil genotypes under Mediterranean climatic conditions, focusing on identifying superior chemotypes for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. A field experiment was conducted using an augmented randomized complete block design at the Çukurova University Research and Application Area during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. Phytochemical screening included the determination of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacities via DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging assays. The chemical composition of the EOs was determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Significant biochemical variation was observed among the 90 genotypes. Genotypes MT08, MT86, MT38, and MT67 exhibited the highest bioactive potential, characterized by superior TPC and antioxidant activities. EO yields were notably higher in genotypes MT63 and MT74. Chemical profiling revealed five distinct chemotypes within the population: linalool, methyl chavicol, citral, methyl cinnamate, and methyl eugenol. Pearson correlation, PCA, and cluster analyses supported that these genotypes represent a broad phytochemical basis for selection and breeding. This study provides a detailed characterization of basil germplasm, identifying specific genotypes with high industrial value. The classification of five major chemotypes offers a strategic foundation for targeted breeding programs aimed at developing high-quality cultivars. These findings contribute to the standardization of raw materials for the global pharmaceutical and fragrance industries.
Barut et al. (Tue,) studied this question.