In addition to its distinct aroma and flavor, because of which it is often used in various foods and dishes, basil has recently become increasingly popular because of its rich and beneficial nutritional composition. The presence of several varieties and cultivars makes it a species rich in many specific phytochemicals, which is why it is increasingly used in phytotherapy.
The aim of this study was to analyze and valorize the nutrient composition and morphological characteristics of three different basil cultivars (‘Genovese’, ‘Dark Opal’, ‘Minimum’) under two growing methods, conventional in open field and floating hydropon. The results of morphological and chemical characteristics showed a significant influence of cultivar in both growing methods. The cultivar ‘Genovese’ obtained the highest yield in floating hydropon (4.02 kg/m2), followed by cultivars ‘Minimum’ and ‘Dark Opal’ (2.03 and 1.83 kg/m2, respectively), which were 31%, 97%, and 16% higher compared to soil cultivation.
Based on the analyzed physicochemical parameters, the highest values of dry matter, total acids, vitamin C, total phenols, and antioxidant capacity were generally determined in all analyzes basil cultivars grown in the open field compared to those grown in floating. Significantly higher values of the analyzed pigment compounds were found for all hydroponically grown basil cultivars.
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Šic Žlabur, Jana & Opacic, Nevena & Zutic, Ivanka & Voća, Sandra & Poštek, Magdalena & Radman, Sanja & Benko, Bozidar & Fabek, Sanja. (2021). Valorization of Nutritional Potential and Specialized Metabolites of Basil Cultivars Depending on Cultivation Method. Agronomy. 11. 1048. 10.3390/agronomy11061048.