PT434 Establishing Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Program in Sudan: achievements and challenges

Abstract

Nontraditional oilseeds have attracted great interest because their components have unique properties and may augment the supply of functional products. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds and their essential oil have been widely used in functional foods, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical products. Analysis of N. sativa essential oil using gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry resulted in the identification of many bioactive compounds representing around 85% of the total content. The main identified compounds include p-cymene, thymoquinone, α-thujene, longifolene, β-pinene, α-pinene, and carvacrol. Nigella sativa essential oil exhibited different biological activities including antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant potentials. Nigella sativa essential oil showed complete inhibition zones against different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including Penicillium citrinum, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The essential oil showed stronger antioxidant potential compared with synthetic antioxidants (e.g., butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene) in a rapeseed oil model system. The oil also exhibited stronger radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical compared with synthetic antioxidants. The diversity of food applications to which N. sativa essential oil can be put gives this oil industrial importance.