ABSTRACT
Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil)is a member of the Lamiaceae family, belonging to the genus Ocimum. It is commonly found in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Pacific Island where it is used both as a culinary and medicinal herb. This research, carried out the phytochemical screening of ethanolic extracts of ocimum basilicum leaves using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. The GC-MS analysis identified thirty-six (36) compounds. The compounds consisted of high amounts of Maltol (9.42%) 2-pyrazoline,1isopropyl-5-methyl (9.21%), Quinoline-3-methyl (9.10%) Pentadecanoic acid (8.84%), Alpha Ergosterol (7.22%), Docosanoic acid (7.15%), Caryophyllene(6.12%), Coumaric acid (5.86%), and Germacrene D (5.20%). These phytoconstituents possess different biological activities which are possibly responsible for the industrial and pharmacological effects often attributed to Ocimum basilicum. Thus ocimum basilicum is recommeded as a potential therapeutic agent.