Production, Composition, and Ecological Function of Sweet-Basil-Seed Mucilage during Hydration

The sweet-basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) fruit/pericarp produces mucilage that engulfs the fruit and seed within minutes of hydration. Seed is produced by plant species have adapted to arid, sandy soils. This study was conducted determine how basil-seed improves ecological fitness. A second objective find ways remove mucilage, which may interfere with commercial planting. Basil fruit/seeds were examined using light environmental scanning electron microscopy. Columnar structures basil rapidly unfolded from pericarp upon initial Dilute hydrochloric acid removed decreased water content four-fold but did not inhibit germination in a laboratory test. Nondestructive Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed primarily composed hemicellulose anchored resist movement. fully hydrated seeds approached zero potential, so planted growing media had 12 28% higher seedling emergence survival percentages after 10 days than without mucilage. Basil-fruit/seed provides reservoir loosely bound at high potential for early development, thus improving survivability under low moisture.