## 1 Introduction  
Holy basil (_Ocimum tenuiform_ L. or _Ocimum sanctum_ L.) is a medicinal herb in Ayurvedic medicine and has gained increasing attention in the global herbal market due to its diverse therapeutic properties [1, 2]. _O. tenuiform_ has been associated with various health-promoting effects. These include stress reduction, cognitive enhancement, and support for cardiovascular health [1, 3, 4]. This aromatic plant has been extensively studied for its rich and diverse phytochemical profile, which includes a variety of bioactive compounds such as saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids [5; 6]. [PERSON] et al. [7] explores the antioxidant capacities of different Thai holy basil (_O. tenuiform_ L.) cultivars, focusing on key compounds such as anthocyanin content, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, phenolics, flavonoids, and terpenoids content. Strong correlations among DPPH antioxidant activity, flavonoid and phenolic contents were observed. Clustering analysis revealed four distinct groups based on antioxidant profiles. The findings offer valuable insights into the potential of Thai holy basil, with variations across cultivars potentially driven by geographical factors. Among these phytochemical contents, flavonoids have emerged as a particularly significant group of secondary metabolites, renowned for their potent antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and potential anticancer properties [8; 9; 10; 11]. The flavonoid composition of _O. tenuiform_ is complex and varied, including compounds such as orientin, vicenin, luteolin, apigenin, and their glycosides [12; 13; 14]. These compounds contribute to the plant's overall therapeutic potential [15; 16]. Flavonoids are a major class of polyphenolic compounds found in _O. tenuiform_, contributing to its antioxidant and therapeutic properties. [PERSON] et al. reported that flavonoids were the predominant class of polyphenols in _O. tenuiform_ species, with higher concentrations observed in the leaves of _O. tenuiform_ compared to other plants [17]. This finding emphasises the potential of _O. tenuiform_ as a source of natural antioxidants, which can be beneficial in food preservation and health applications. According to [PERSON] et al., _O. sanctum_ contains over 60 chemical compounds, including flavonoids, which exhibit a range of pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities [18]. The presence of flavonoids like vicenin-2 has been specifically noted for its potential in cancer therapy, as it has shown to inhibit Wnt/\(\beta\)-catenin signalling and induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines [19]. This underscores the importance of flavonoids in the plant's therapeutic profile. The therapeutic potential of flavonoids extends to their role in managing diabetes. Research by [PERSON] et al. indicated that flavonoids in _O. tenuiform_ can enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glucose tolerance in diabetic models [20]. Such properties make _O. sanctum_ a valuable candidate for developing natural remedies for diabetes management. The flavonoids present in _O. sanctum_ Linn. play a vital role in its pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer effects. The ongoing research into the extraction, identification, and application of these compounds continues to unveil the therapeutic potential of this revered herb. As the body of literature grows, it is evident that _O. tenuiform_ holds promise, not only as a culinary herb, but also as a significant contributor to modern herbal medicine. Traditional methods for quantifying flavonoids, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [21; 22] or spectrophotometric assays [23; 24], are often time-consuming, destructive, and require extensive sample preparation. In recent years, hyperspectral imaging has emerged as a promising non-destructive technique for rapid and accurate assessment of biochemical constituents [25].