Variation in yield, morphology, and phytochemical profiles of essential oils of nutmeg populations in Lampung

Abstract

Nutmeg is native to the Moluccan islands of Indonesia, with primary products being seeds, mace, and essential oils. These are widely used in the food industry, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Nutmeg has been widely grown in Indonesia, including in Lampung. The study’s objective was to observe yield, morphological characteristics, and chemical constituents of nutmeg oil of the nutmeg germplasm population grown in Lampung. Five populations belonging to the farmers were selected based on yield. Observation on yield tree−1 and morphology was carried out from each population. Analyses of essential oil were taken from mature nutmeg collected from each selected tree, bulked, and analyzed population−1 using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry. Results showed there was a variation in yield among the population from 4972 to 6140. Morphological characteristics also showed variation within and between populations. A variation in the essential oil contents was observed. The number of detected chemical constituents in the essential oil of nutmeg seed varies from 26 to 39 compounds. Some of the major components found in the nutmeg oil were sabinene, myristicin, β-phellandrene, P-menth-1-en-4-ol, α-pinene, and gamma-terpinene. Myristicin content varies from 13.76 % to 27.99 %. The selected trees may be recommended as genetic material for nutmeg breeding programs.