Composition, quality control and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds from Bulgaria that had been stored for up to 36 years

Abstract

The essential oil of seeds of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) from Bulgaria stored for more than 35 years was analyzed by physicochemical methods, GC, GC-MS and olfactometry and its antimicrobial activity tested using different strains of microorganisms. More than sixty constituents of this cumin oil could be identified as essential volatiles, responsible for the pleasant fresh, clean, spicy (typical cumin-like) odour of a high quality product. Cumin aldehyde (36%), b-pinene (19.3%), p-cymene (18.4%) and c-terpinene (15.3%) were the principal compounds found. Antimicrobial testing showed high activity of the essential C. cyminum oil against the mold Aspergillus niger, the Gram (+) bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis as well as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans.

Variation in essential oil composition and antioxidant activity of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) fruits during stages of maturity

“…For instance, the oil contents obtained 3.8% from China (Li and Jiang, 2004), 5.3% from Bulgaria (Jirovetz et al, 2005), 1.6% from Tunisia (Rebey et al, 2012), and 1.4-2.2% from Northeastern Iran (Hashemian et al, 2013).…”

Medicinal plants with antimicrobial activities (part 2): Plant based review

“…The essential oil of Bulgarian Cuminum cyminum was active against Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans [198].…”

Cuminum cyminum – A Popular Spice: An Updated Review

“…It is also used to inhibit the fibrillation of alpha-synuclein (α-SN), 52 Parkinson's disease and viral infections. Cuminaldehyde has shown different effects such as anti-platelet, 53 antibacterial, 3 antifungal, 54 anti-diabetic, 55 anti-Parkinson's 56 and it also activates salivary glands in mouth and facilitates the primary digestion of the food and produce carminative effects. Cuminaldehyde has been under study to verify its effectiveness as an antitumor agent and has shown good results on cultured murine but not on cultured human cells.…”

“…Cuminaldehyde (4 -isopropyl benzaldehyde) is an aromatic monoterpenoid volatile compound and a constituent of the essential oils of eucalyptus, myrrh, Cuminum cyminum, 3 Carum carvi, 8,47 Cinnamomum cassia 51 and others. 8,17 Cuminaldehyde has molecular formula C 10 H 12 O that is a substitute of benzaldehyde with an isopropyl group in the 4 th position.…”