The basil plant is the largest species of basil worldwide. Basil contains
essential oils. Essential oils are oils with a composition of aromatic and volatile
compounds obtained from plant parts.
The purpose of this study was to determine the condition of fresh basil
leaves and dried basil leaves (Ocimum sanctum L.) which produced the highest
yield and best characteristics. The extraction method used is water distillation
and using water as a solvent. The parameters of this test are reagent test, Thin
Layer Chromatography test and characteristic test including specific gravity, color
determination, alcohol solubility and acid number.
The results showed that the condition of fresh basil leaves produced a
moisture content of 8.2%, yield of 2.3%, volatile and left no stains, Rf 0.87,
specific gravity 0.8951, clear, soluble and acid number 3.3. While the condition of
fresh basil leaves resulted in a moisture content of 14.6, a yield of 2.0% that was
volatile and left no stains, Rf 0.83, specific gravity 0.8940, clear, soluble, acid
number of 3.3.
Keywords: drying, fresh condition, dry condition