Effect of Heavy Metals on Terpenoid Composition of<i>Ocimum basilicum</i>L. and<i>Mentha spicata</i>L.

Abstract

In a greenhouse study, saplings of Ocimum basilicum L. and Mentha spicata L. were planted in pots in four replicates on soils treated with different concentrations of lead, copper and cadmium. The essential oil composition of aerial parts was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. There was significant quantitative variation in the essential oil of Ocimum basilicum growing in all metal amended soils. In case of Mentha spicata, no significant change in essential oil composition was observed for plants grown in metal amended soils.