The Effect of Harvest Time of Basil Microgreens (Ocimum basilicum L.) on Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity in a Local Wisdom–Based Horticultural System

Abstract

Basil microgreens are gaining attention as a potential functional food due to their nutritional value and naturally occurring bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, information regarding how these bioactive characteristics vary across different growth stages, particularly when basil is cultivated using local wisdom-based horticultural practices, is still limited. This study evaluated the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) harvested at three developmental stages: microgreens at 10 and 14 days after germination and mature plants at 30 days. The plants were cultivated using locally sourced materials, including rice husk, household organic compost, and rice washing water. Total phenolic content was assessed using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, whereas antioxidant activity was determined through the DPPH assay. Descriptive analysis revealed a gradual increase in total phenolic content, from 0.960 ± 0.146 mg GAE g⁻¹ extract at day 10 to 1.056 ± 0.061 mg GAE g⁻¹ extract at day 14 and 1.170 ± 0.010 mg GAE g⁻¹ extract at day 30. A comparable pattern was observed for antioxidant activity, which increased from 63.659 ± 0.621% at day 10 to 66.634 ± 0.414% at day 14 and reached 72.585 ± 0.276% at day 30. Overall, the descriptive findings indicate that the later developmental stage of basil was accompanied by higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity under the cultivation conditions applied in this study.