Ocimum bacilicum is well known as a culinary herb, a rich source of nutrients and a folk remedy in alternative
medical therapy. Although many studies have been carried out to determine its nutritional components, it is well
known that this varies across different species and also depends on geographical location and type of soil on which
the plant is cultivated. The present study seeks to determine levels of Ca, Na, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg and Cu in leaf
extracts of Ocimum bacilicum leaves grown in Olupona, a suburb of Iwo, South-Western Nigeria. Plant leaves
were washed, dried, ground into powder and extracted using standard procedures. The extract was digested using
concentrated HCl. Levels of Na and K in the extract was determined using a flame photometer while atomic absorption
spectrophotometer was used to determine the levels of the other minerals.
Levels of Na and K found in the extract was 41.38 and 12.37 mg/ml respectively while those of Ca, Fe, Mg, Zn, and Mn
were 60.88, 6.58, 5.35,1.14 and 0.88 mg/ml, respectively. Cu was not detectable in the sample. The study concludes
that the study plant contains very high levels of Ca and is also rich in other essential minerals.
