Genotypic variations were observed among 6 variants and an indigenous one as a control. An efficient genotype OCD(L) of Ocimum sanctum had the greatest content of chlorophylls [2.15 g kg-1(FM)], Chl a/b ratio of 1.86, net photosynthetic rate of 0.72 mg(CO2) m-2 s-1, and 1.56 % oil formation. Methyl chavicol formed 50.31 % of total oil in OSP-6 genotype, which had also maximum peroxidase activity [ΔOD 2.4 mg-1(protein)] and maximum production of eugenol (30.44 % of total oil). We found an oxido-reducible reaction of peroxidase and high bands of peroxidase isoenzymes in this OSP-6 genotype for the formation of monoterpene essential oil(s) and possibly the major constituents of eugenol through the high production of photosynthates. and A. Misra ... [et al.].
Culturing geranium at different doses of Zn from 0-1.0 g m-3 (Zn0 to Zn1.000) revealed that Zn is an antioxidant promoter, apart from its micronutrient essentiality. Zn0.250 was the critical concentration for maximum content (0.21 %) of total essential monoterpene oil(s). At Zn0.005-Zn0.250, net photosynthetic rate, and contents of chlorophyll and essential monoterpene oil(s) were affected. The maximum peroxidase activity was obtained at Zn0.250, with the production of biomolecule geraniol. We found an oxido-reducible reaction of Zn in the formation of monoterpene essential oil(s) and possibly major constituents of geraniol. and A. Misra ... [et al.].