Basil
Basil is essentially a herb, but it's frequently used as a spice in kitchens because of its aroma and peppery taste. Basil is an essential ingredient in Italian and Indian culinary preparations, and justifiably so.
Nutritional Profile of Basil
Water
Water makes up more than 90% of basil tissue mass. (FoodData Central, 2018)
Carbohydrates
Low on monosaccharides, but basil still has carbohydrates and fibers in considerable quantities.
Proteins
Protein content includes a mixture of essential and non-essential amino acids.
Minerals
Two of the most notable minerals found in basil are calcium and potassium.
Chemistry of Basil
Basil owes its characteristic flavor and aroma to essential oils.
Essential oil is a volatile liquid, which means that, if exposed, it tends to evaporate quickly — and find its way into your nose. This volatile liquid is a mixture of the aromatic compounds methyl cinnamate, linalool, β-elemene, and camphor. (Kathirvel & Ravi, 2010)
Interestingly, though, different varieties of basil exist because of varying proportions of these aromatic compounds.
Health Benefits of Basil
The two main health benefits of basil are:
Antioxidant Activity
Essential oils in basil have antioxidative properties. Other health benefits include anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-microbial activity. (Shahrajabian, Sun, & Cheng, 2020)
Skin Healing
When applied to the skin, basil has a moisturizing effect and suppresses wrinkles. (Singletary, 2018)
Hydroponics of Basil
To preserve the chemical composition of basil, it's best used fresh. Here's how to grow basil in a soil-free system:
Hydroponic System
The choice of hydroponic production system has little to no effect on the growth of basil. A system should therefore be selected based on ease of use.
Daylight Requirement
Basil requires at least 10–12 hours of daylight for optimum growth.
Nutrient Solution
The electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution affects the nutritional value of basil. For example, increasing the EC of the solution promotes nitrogen accumulation. (Walters & Currey, 2018)
A combination of LED lights and controlled-release NPK fertilizer also enhances the growth of basil.
Fresh basil leaves better reflect basil's health benefits and nutritional value. Processed, dried basil not only loses its whole-foods nature but also some of its nutritional content.
References
- FoodData Central. (2018, April). U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172232/nutrients
- Kathirvel, P., & Ravi, S. (2010, August 31). Chemical composition of the essential oil from basil (Ocimum basilicum Linn.) and its in vitro cytotoxicity against HeLa and HEp-2 human cancer cell lines and NIH 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Natural Product Research, 1112–1118. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.545357
- Shahrajabian, M. H., Sun, W., & Cheng, Q. (2020, November 8). Chemical components and pharmacological benefits of basil (Ocimum basilicum): a review. International Journal of Food Properties, 1961–1970. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2020.1828456
- Singletary, K. W. (2018). Basil: A Brief Summary of Potential Health Benefits. Nutrition Today, 92–97. https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/Fulltext/2018/03000/Basil__A_Brief_Summary_of_Potential_Health.9.aspx
- Walters, K., & Currey, C. (2018, September). Effects of Nutrient Solution Concentration and Daily Light Integral on Growth and Nutrient Concentration of Several Basil Species in Hydroponic Production. HortScience, 53(9). https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13126-18
Frequently asked questions
Which hydroponic system is best for basil?
The choice of hydroponic production system has little to no effect on basil's growth, so select one based on ease of use.
How much light does hydroponic basil need?
Basil requires at least 10–12 hours of daylight per day for optimum growth.
Does nutrient strength affect basil's nutrition?
Yes. The electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution affects basil's nutritional value — for example, raising EC promotes nitrogen accumulation.
