The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in basil plants was
measured by the thiobarbituric acid method, according to
Dhindsa and Matowe (1981). Plant material was homogenized
with 0.1 % trichloroacetic acid (TCA). 0.1 M
K-phosphate buffer (pH 7.6), and 0.5 % thiobarbituric acid
in 20 % trichloroacetic acid were added to the supernatant.
Malondialdehyde and thiobarbituric acid reaction products
give orange staining at 95 C. The absorbance of the
obtained solution was measured at: k = 520 nm and
k = 600 nm. The amount of MDA was calculated from the
difference in absorbance at these wavelengths, using a
molar absorbance coefficient. An amount of 0.1 % trichloroacetic
acid instead of supernatant was used as a blank.