Volatile Oil Constituents and Fatty Acids Composition of Nigella sativa L. Seeds

Abstract

Volatile oil and fatty acid compositions of Nigella sativa L. ( Ranunculaceae ) seeds grown in Iran determined by GC and GC/MS. Eight fatty acids (99.5%) and thirty- two compounds (86.7%) have been identified in the fixed and volatile oils, respectively. The main fatty acids of the fixed oil were linoleic acid (55.6%), oleic acid (23.4%), and palmitic acid (12.5%). The major compounds of the volatile oil were trans-anethole (38.3%), p-cymene (14.8%), limonene (4.3%), and carvone (4.0%).

Keywords

• nigella sativa l.
• fatty acids
• volatile oil
• ranunculaceae