Black Cumin Seed Extract

Various active compounds have been discovered, identified, and documented in different types of black seeds. The primary active compounds include thymoquinone (30%-48%), thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, p-cymene (7%-15%), carvacrol (6%-12%), 4-terpineol (2%-7%), t-anethol (1%-4%), sesquiterpene longifolene (1%-8%), α-pinene, and thymol, among others. Black seeds also contain trace amounts of other compounds. The seeds contain two types of alkaloids: isoquinoline alkaloids such as nigellicimine and nigellicimine-N-oxide, and pyrazol alkaloids or indazole ring bearing alkaloids which include nigellidine and nigellicine. Additionally, N. sativa seeds contain alpha-hederin, a pentacyclic triterpene that is soluble in water, and saponin, which has potential as an anticancer agent.

Other compounds such as carvone, limonene, and citronellol were also present in trace amounts. The pharmacological properties of N. sativa are primarily attributed to its quinine constituents, with thymol (TQ) being the most abundant. Under storage conditions, TQ yields dithymoquinone and various oligocondensation products.

The seeds of N. sativa contain protein (26.7%), fat (28.5%), carbohydrates (24.9%), crude fiber (8.4%), and total ash (4.8%). These seeds are also a source of vitamins and minerals like copper (Cu), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and others. The seeds contain carotene, which is converted into vitamin A by the liver. Additionally, the root and shoot are known to contain vanillic acid.

The seeds reported to contain a fatty oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid (50-60%), oleic acid (20%), eicodadienoic acid (3%) and dihomolinoleic acid (10%). Saturated fatty acids (palmitic, stearic acid) amount to about 30% or less. α-sitosterol is a major sterol, which accounts for 44% and 54% of the total sterols in Tunisian and Iranian varieties of black seed oils respectively, followed by stigmasterol (6.57-20.92% of total sterols).