Establishment of an efficient protocol for the micropropagation of holy basil (Ocimum sanctum L.)

The focus of this thesis was to develop a micropropagation protocol and characterize the medicinal plant holy basil (Ocimum sanctum L.). An efficient system was established for in vitro multiplication of shoots (2.5 shoots/explant) using BA (1.1 µM) and GA3 (0.3 µM). The addition of AIP, a phenolic pathway inhibitor, at 2 µM along with AC (0.6%) improved the formation of shoot (6.3 shoots/ explant) and also alleviated the problem of liquification of culture medium. Microshoots, rooted in a medium containing 0.5 µM IBA with AC (0.6%), had a high survival rate (83%) when transplanted into the greenhouse. Assessment of antioxidant activity of 80 plants led to the selection of an elite plant named “Vrinda” for large-scale propagation. Morphological characterization of “Vrinda” showed a compact appearance of plants and delayed flowering compared to other populations. Phytochemical analysis of holy basil revealed the presence of neurotransmitters melatonin, serotonin and GABA.