Macroscopic and Microscopic Authentication of Jintan hitam (Nigella sativa L.) Seeds

Abstract

Jintan Hitam (Nigella sativa), which belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, is a popular medicinal herb with commercial value. This plant is sold as a raw material or herbal product in Indonesia for several purposes. On the other hand, Chorcorus sp. is known as a potential species for N. sativa adulteration due to its similar seed morphology and shared vernacular names. The authentication of Jintan Hitam using an effective and efficient technique is important for detecting adulteration. This research aimed to evaluate macroscopic and microscopic parameters for Jintan Hitam authentication sold in traditional markets in Surakarta and Yogyakarta. The sampling was conducted in 3 main traditional markets in Surakarta and Yogyakarta. The samples were collected from 3 traders in each market. Macroscopic and microscopic authentication was carried out with the naked eye and a stereomicroscope as diagnostic tools to examine the characteristics of seeds. The main macroscopic characteristics used as diagnostics were seed morphology, colour, size, smell, and taste, while the microscopic characteristics were testa, endosperm, and oil globules. The result showed that Jintan Hitam adulteration was detected in the main traditional markets in Surakarta and Yogyakarta using macroscopic and microscopic parameters. The percentage of adulteration in Surakarta (55.5%) was higher than in Yogyakarta (44.4%). In sum, the macroscopic and microscopic parameters can detect adulteration and are effective for Jintan Hitam authentication.