The present research has been performed on black pepper of two cultivars to evaluate their nutritional quality and safety issue on the basis of proximate, chemical and pharmacological properties. The proximate results were compiled with the standard USDA limits. K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Al and Se were detected as major elements, whereas the toxic elements were found within the recommended limit. The GC‐MS analysis of the essential oils showed the presence of δ‐3‐carene (32.61%) as the major component in Kerala cultivar whereas β‐caryophyllene (18.39%) was the major components in Indigenous cultivar. The IC50 values of DPPH antioxidant activity of the essential oils were found to be 44.16 and 22.88 mg/mL in Indigenous and Kerala cultivars, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils showed good activity in both cultivars. The LC50 values of the brine shrimp cytotoxic activity were 1.03 and 1.21 μg/mL in Indigenous and Kerala cultivars, respectively. Practical applications Spice quality is an important issue in the food industries as well as export markets. Due to the toxicological effect of imported spices, much attention has been paid to the safety issue especially on cytotoxicity and toxic metal contaminations. The present study reveals that both cultivars possess rich amount of nutritional components, essential minerals, phyto and flavouring components in their essential oils and recommended level of toxic elements as well as decent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study promises to scaffold a new window for exportation of quality spice and confer potential for use in food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

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