The present protocol described extraction of active polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase from a plant rich in phenolics and chlorophylls in the post-harvest browning syndrome of B. myrtifolia. Initially, general optimisation using conventional enzyme extractions was performed. However, along with membrane-bound proteins, chlorophylls and phenols were also released with Triton X (TTX). With a view to obtaining high enzymatic activity, removal of the released chlorophylls and phenols by formation of TTX-114 micelles in the detergent rich phase after high-temperature induced phase separation was tested.

The natural forests of Northern Thailand are the mother source of many utilisable natural products because of their diverse flora and fauna. Among many plant species found within Northern Thai forests, detergent plants are known for its distinctive cleansing properties. Several local species of detergent plants in Thailand are traditionally used by the locals and indigenous people. However, these plants may become extinct because their habitats have been replaced by industrial agriculture, and their uses have been replaced by chemically synthesised detergents. Researchers need to study and communicate the biology, phytochemistry, and the importance of these plants to conserve natural biodiversity of Northern Thailand. Of many utilisable detergent phytochemicals, natural saponins are known as bio-surfactant and foaming agents. Their physiochemical and biological properties feature structural diversity, which leads to many industrial applications. In this review, we explained the term “detergent” from the physiological mechanism perspective and the detergent effects of saponin. We also compiled a list of Thai local plants with cleansing properties focusing on the saponin-containing plants. Future studies should investigate information relative to plant environment, ethnobotanical data and bioactive compound content of these plants. The knowledge acquired from this study will promote the maintenance of the local biodiversity and the conservation of the detergent plant species found in Thailand.

The research objectives of this study are to analyse the volatile compositions of different basil types available in Thai markets and to descriptively determine their aromatic qualities. Essential oils were hydro-distillated from fresh leaves of 2 Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) varieties namely, white and red and other basil species, including Tree basil (O. gratissimum), Sweet basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflorum) and Lemon basil (O. citriodorum). Oil physicochemical characteristics and volatile chromatograms from Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to qualitatively and quantitatively describe the chemical compositions. Methyl eugenol, estragole and eugenol were among the major chemicals found in the essential oils of these basil types. Classification by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) advised that these Ocimum spp. samples are grouped based on either the distinctive anise, citrus aroma (estragole, geranial and neral) or spice-like aroma (β-methyl eugenol, caryophyllene and α-cubebene). The essential oil was also used for descriptive sensorial determination by five trained panelists, using the following developed terms: anisic, citrus, herb, spice, sweet and woody. The panelists were able to differentiate essential oil of white Holy basil from red Holy basil based on the intensity of the anisic attribute, while the anise and citrus scents were detected as dominant in the Lemon basil, Tree basil and Sweet basil essential oils. The overall benefit from this research was the elucidation of aromatic qualities from Thai common Ocimum species in order to assess their potential as the raw materials for future food research and development.

The present protocol described staining protocol for Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in aromatic crop grown under nutrient stress through DAB and NBT histochemical method. Spearmint (Mentha spicata) were grown under manganese and salt toxicity stresses and after 10 and 20 days of the stress treatments, plants showed stunted growth. The morphological characteristics of leaves under stresses were observed. Manganese toxicity and salt stress induced the production of ROS. Accumulation of hydrogen peroxide was characterised as brown spots from the DAB polymerisation which were emerged and clearly observed in leaves from plant grown under 2.5 and 5 mM concentrations of manganese as well as 300 mM concentration of salt. Furthermore, accumulation of superoxide anion was characterised as blue pigments based upon the ability of cells to reduce NBT. Spearmint leaves showed the distribution of the blue pigment which was obviously observed under the 5 mM of manganese and 300 mM of salt. DAB and NBT staining method can be the rapid method to characterise ROS accumulation in plant cell under the abiotic stresses.