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Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) Oils

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  • Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus

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Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.), belonging to the family Myristicaceae, is a spice seed from the fruit of a tropical evergreen tree. It is a well-known aromatic perennial plant with a characteristic scent that possesses multiple medicinal applications, being used to treat stomach ulcers, indigestion, liver disorders, and as emmenagogue, nervine, diuretic, diaphoretic, and aphrodisiac. Nutmeg essential oil has been used as a natural flavoring agent and as a perfume in the cosmetic industries. Owing to its demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, nutmeg essential oil is considered to be a promising biopreservative. Its main phytochemicals include limonene, sabinene, α-pinene, β-pinene, myristicin, sabinene, and safrol. This chapter describes the botanical aspects, medicinal uses, and applications of nutmeg essential oil and explores its potential role in food science.
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... It is used to treat liver disorders, indigestion and stomach ulcers. Nutmeg oil exhibits antimicrobial and antioxidant properties [36,37]. In Pakistan, nutmeg is used traditionally to treat hypertension containing, essential chemicals and minerals [38]. ...
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Nanotechnology focuses on materials at the molecular and atomic levels, with sizes ranging from 0.1 to 100 nm. This study explores the synthesis and characterization of copper oxide (CuO), nickel oxide (NiO), and hybrid nanoparticles using an aqueous seed extract from Myristica fragrans. The nanomaterials underwent comprehensive characterization employing various techniques: UV analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TGA, EDX and SEM. We explored their biological applications through antioxidant and antibacterial assays. UV analysis determined the optical absorption spectra values for CuO, NiO and hybrid nanoparticles. FTIR analysis confirmed functional groups in the plant extract responsible for capping and reducing the reaction medium. XRD and SEM analysis demonstrated the crystalline nature and morphology of the nanoparticles. CuO nanoparticles exhibited polyhedral morphology, while NiO nanoparticles were primarily spherical with some agglomeration. The CuO-NiO hybrid nanoparticles showed a wurtzite morphology with significant agglomeration and larger mean size than CuO and NiO nanoparticles. EDX indicated higher quantities of Cu and Ni. XRD spectra revealed the average particle sizes of nanoparticles. TGA indicated the thermal stability of the nanoparticles, with hybrid nanoparticles being the most stable. The nanoparticles exhibited excellent antioxidant activity, with hybrid nanoparticles showing the highest values in measuring total antioxidant capacity, total reducing power (TRP), ABTS assay, and DPPH-free radical scavenging assay at 400 μg/mg. Antibacterial assays against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains demonstrated that antibiotics-coated hybrid nanoparticles exhibited potent antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In conclusion, CuO, NiO, and CuO-NiO hybrid nanoparticles mediated by Myristica fragrans showcase promising characteristics for various applications, especially in biomedical and clinical settings. The nanoparticles eco-friendly synthesis and biocompatible nature make them attractive candidates for future research and development.
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... Komponen minyak atsiri pala bervariasi menurut asalnya: Indonesia (32 senyawa) [6]. Terdapat 27-38 kandungan kimia yang terdeteksi pada berbagai konsentrasi [7]. ...
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Nutmeg is considered an important ingredient of various industrial applications ranging from food to cosmetics. The pharmaceutical product is also important for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Further research is needed to isolate and identify the bioactive compounds of Myristica fragrans. The aim of this research was to isolate and determine the antioxidant activity of the essential oil of nutmeg flesh (Myristica fragrans). The sample used was nutmeg flesh (Myristica fragrans) taken from Ternate Island, North Maluku. The essential oil of nutmeg flesh was isolated using water vapor distillation and the antioxidant activity was tested using the DPPH method. All data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and were carried out in triplicate. The results of the research showed that the isolation of nutmeg essential oil obtained with a yield of 0,32%. Organoleptically, the essential oil of nutmeg flesh obtained from the steam distillation process has quality that meets SNI, in the form of a clear to rusty liquid and has a distinctive odor. Phytochemical tests obtained that the essential oil of nutmeg flesh contains alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids, and does not contain polyphenols and saponins. The concentration of essential oil increases, the absorption value and percent inhibition increase so that an average IC50 value of 49,34 ppm is obtained. The essential oil of nutmeg flesh by steam distillation obtained a yield of 0,32% and has antioxidant activity which is classified as a strong antioxidant
... Cytotoxicity tests revealed that volatile oils, relative to methanolic extracts, exhibited lower toxicity. This finding aligns with the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) classification with respect to how safe nutmeg volatile oil substances are for consumption [51]. Specifically, volatile oil extracts showed negligible toxicity relative to HaCaT cells, reflecting their common applications in products like cosmetics, perfumes, or toiletries [52]. ...
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The aril and seed of nutmeg, Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae), hold significant value in various industries globally. Our preliminary research found two morphological variations: a globose shape and an oval shape. Due to these different characteristics, the safety of consumers is of primary concern. Thus, authentication and comparative pharmacological and toxicity analyses are necessary. In this study, pharmacognostic and advanced phytochemical analyses, DNA barcoding, cytotoxicity, and the anti-nitric oxide production of commercial Thai nutmeg were examined. Via morphologic examinations and TLC fingerprinting, all the sampled aril and seed were categorized into globose and oval-shaped groups. The results of HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS/MS experiments revealed distinct differences between these groups. The DNA barcoding of the trnH-psbA region using the BLAST method and neighbor-joining tree analyses confirmed the globose nutmeg as M. fragrans and the oval-shaped variant as M. argentea. A comparison was then carried out between the potential toxicity and anti-inflammatory capabilities of M. fragrans and M. argentea. Cytotoxicity tests on HaCaT, 3T3-L1, Caco-2, HEK293, and RAW264.7 were performed using both methanolic extracts and volatile oil from the arils and seeds of both species. This study concludes that blending or substituting these two species maintains their therapeutic integrity without posing safety concerns.
... This spice is used extensively within the food sector. Moreover, it finds utility within traditional medicinal practices, serving as a muscle relaxant, an antiemetic, and a remedy for respiratory ailments, tuberculosis, common colds, and fevers, as well as disorders linked to the nervous and gastrointestinal systems [138]. Nutmeg exhibits a significant phytochemical profile encompassing diverse major classes including anthraquinones, alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and flavonoids. ...
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Throughout history, spices have been employed for their pharmaceutical attributes and as a culinary enhancement. The food industry widely employs artificial preservatives to retard the deterioration induced by microbial proliferation, enzymatic processes, and oxidative reactions. Nevertheless, the utilization of these synthetic preservatives in food products has given rise to significant apprehension among consumers, primarily stemming from the potential health risks that they pose. These risks encompass a spectrum of adverse effects, including but not limited to gastro-intestinal disorders, the disruption of gut microbiota, allergic reactions, respiratory complications, and concerns regarding their carcinogenic properties. Consequently, consumers are displaying an increasing reluctance to purchase preserved food items that contain such additives. Spices, known for their antimicrobial value, are investigated for their potential as food preservatives. The review assesses 25 spice types for their inherent antimicrobial properties and their applicability in inhibiting various foodborne microorganisms and suggests further future investigations regarding their use as possible natural food preservatives that could offer safer, more sustainable methods for extending shelf life. Future research should delve deeper into the use of natural antimicrobials, such as spices, to not only replace synthetic preservatives but also optimize their application in food safety and shelf-life extension. Moreover, there is a need for continuous innovation in encapsulation technologies for antimicrobial agents. Developing cost-effective and efficient methods, along with scaling up production processes, will be crucial to competing with traditional antimicrobial options in terms of both efficacy and affordability.
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This study was conducted with the aim to extract and purify the essential oil containing terpenes from the dried seeds of nutmeg myristica fragrans available in Iraqi markets.The essential oil was extracted by steam distillation method with a yield of 4.7-7.5 gm / 100 gm, and the resultant oil was subjected to sensory and physical evaluation. It has a special spicy odor, slightly pungent taste, colorless to pale yellow in color, not dissolved in water but dissolved in organic solvents like ethanol, hexane, chloroform and ether. The specific gravity, refractive index and optical rotation were (0.890 gm / ml), (1.4822) and (+22˚), respectively. Gas chromatography is used for the quality and quantity evaluation of the essential oil constituents which revealed the presence of 49 volatile compounds. The methanolic extract obtained by reflux the seeds powder with 70% methanol in soxhlet apparatus and yield 12.8%. The extract was subjected to phytochemical detection which confirms the presense of alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins and resins, with the exception of saponins and coumarines which gave negative tests. Myristicin was purified from the methanolic extract of nutmeg dried seeds, which were detected in the essential oil by TLC and vanillin-H2SO4 reagent. The purified myristicin was obtained after the application of adsorption chromatography on silica gel column and detected on T.L.C. plate with standard myristicin. Both the essential oil and purified myristicin were subjected to gas chromatography which showed the presence of myristicin in the oil in a concentration of 6%.
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Antibacterial Activity of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) Seed Extracts Against Some Pathogenic Bacteria Kadhim M. Ibrahim, Rana K. Naem* and Amaal S. Abd-Sahib Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University. *E-mail: ranakasim81@yahoo.com. Abstract This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of water, ethanol and acetone Myristica fragrans seed extract tested against four bacteria species; two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The susceptibility of these different bacterial species toward the extracts of this plants seed was compared with each other and between crust and bulb and with selected antibiotic (cipropholexin) used as positive control. Results showed that ethanol and acetone extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against gram positive bacterial species only, the diameter of inhibition zone reached 25mm against Staph. aureus by crust extract. Crust extract showed antibacterial activity more than the pulp extract. It is concluded that this plant can be indispensible source for secondary metabolites. Keywords: Mysritica frangrans, plant extract, antibacterial activity.
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The essential oil of Banda nutmeg was extracted using hydro-distillation method to characterize their essential oil and volatile components. Banda, Ambon, and Luhu nutmegs were chosen as sample ecotypes. Nutmeg oils were subjected to physico-chemical and GC-MC analyses. Results indicated that nutmeg from the three ecotypes produced uncolored oils with the contents in mature seed were 11.69, 11.92, and 9.99%, respectively. Meanwhile those of immature seeds contained 13.32, 11.99, and 11.03% respectively. Furthermore, the physico-chemical of the oil are specific gravity 0.897 to 0.909 g/ml; refraction index, 1.489 to 1.491; and optical rotation, +11.40 to +16,30.GC-MS analysis suggested that essential oils Maluku nutmegs composed of 28 to 31 components and also showed that nutmeg from Banda comprised 52.8% monoterpene hydrocarbon (MH), 21.11% oxygenated monoterpene (OM), and 18,04% aromatic compound (AC); Ambon’s 45.12% MH, 24.51% OM, and 16.97% AC; and Luhu’s 56.06% MH, 27.34% OM, and 13.62% AC. Further analysis indicated that there were four important volatile oils fractions in nutmegs i.e. myristicin, elemicin, safrole, and eugenol. Maluku nutmeg contain 5.57 to 13.76% myristicin and 0.97 to 2.46% safrole. In conclusion, nutmeg oil shows a high stability in all physico-chemical properties. Nutmeg from Banda ecotype has the highest content in myristicin.
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Aiming to substitute toxic synthetic fungicides, the activity of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) essential oil (EO, obtained by hydrodistillation) was investigated against two important storage fungi-Aspergillus flavus A. ochraceus. The activity of crude nutmeg EO was investigated using poison food assay (PFA). At a concentration of 0.1%, the EO inhibited A. flavus and A. ochraceus growth by 43 and 65%, respectively. At a concentration of 0.3 %, A. flavus and A. ochraceus inhibitions were 84 and 79%, respectively. The crude nutmeg EO on fractionation by preparative TLC-bioautography presented one band from which two pure compounds were isolated by semi-preparative normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Myristicin and safrole were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H and 13 C) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The relative % of myristicin and safrol in the crude EO was 10.8 and 2.9, respectively, determined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The crude EO, the isolated active fraction, isolated myristicin and standard myristicin presented similar activities against the two fungi at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.3% by PFA. Based on these results it is concluded that myristicin is the major antifungal in nutmeg EO against A. flavus and A. ochraceus.
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This 6th edition is thoroughly revised and updated, and now additionally includes all commercially important flavor and fragrance materials that entered the market over the past 10 years. In one handy and up-to-date source, this classic reference surveys those natural and synthetic materials that are commercially available, produced, and used on a relatively large scale, covering their properties, manufacturing methods employed, and areas of application. For this new edition the chapter on essential oils has been completely revised with regard to production volumes, availability, and new product specifications, while new legal issues, such as REACH regulation aspects, are now included. Finally, the CAS registry numbers and physicochemical data of over 350 single substances and 100 essential oils have been updated and revised.
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