Utilization of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) Seed Hydrodistillation Time to Produce Essential Oil Fractions with Varied Compositions and Pharmacological Effects.

Charles L Cantrell,Mohamed A Ibrahim,Ekaterina A Jeliazkova,Tess Astatkie,Valtcho D Zheljazkov

doi:10.3390/molecules25030565

Abstract

The intent of this study was to utilize distillation timeframes (DT) of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) essential oil (EO) to generate fractions with differential chemical compositions and bioactivity. Ten fractions were captured at the following distillation timeframes: 0.0–0.5, 0.5–1.0, 1.0–2.5, 2.5–5.0, 5.0–10, 10–30, 30–60, 60–90, 90–120, and 120–240 min. In addition, a control EO was collected from a straight 0–240 min non-stop distillation. ANOVA and advanced regression modeling revealed that the produced EO fractions possess substantial variation in the concentration of potentially desired compounds. The concentrations (%) of α-phellandrene, 3-carene, p-cymene, limonene, α-thujene, α-pinene, camphene, sabinene, β-pinene, and myrcene decreased, while the concentrations (%) of α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, and myristicin increased in later DT fractions. Nutmeg EO showed some antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum D6, but did not exhibit significant antifungal activity. In general, nutmeg seed oil yields increased with an increase of DT. These results may be utilized by industries using nutmeg EO.

Highlights

Myristica fragrans Houtt., (Myristicaceae), a plant species indigenous to Indonesia, is widely distributed in the humid tropical and coastal regions, and is known as “nutmeg”, for being used in the production of the spices nutmeg and mace [1,2,3]
Nutmeg is listed among the most traded commodities in the world according to the Product Complexity Index (PCI); 81.7% of the nutmeg export market worldwide is mainly coming from 5 countries; India, Indonesia, Netherlands, The United Arab Emirates (UAE), and
Ten nutmeg essential oil (EO) fractions were captured at the following distillation timeframes (DT): 0.0–0.5, 0.5–1.0, 1.0–2.5, 2.5–5.0, 5.0–10, 10–30, 30–60, 60–90, 90–120, 120–240 min, and through a non-stop 240 min distillation

Summary

Introduction

Myristica fragrans Houtt., (Myristicaceae), a plant species indigenous to Indonesia, is widely distributed in the humid tropical and coastal regions, and is known as “nutmeg”, for being used in the production of the spices nutmeg and mace [1,2,3]. The nutmeg is the main source for two distinct spices, nutmeg and mace, where the seed kernel inside the fruits is the source of the spice named “nutmeg”, while the dried flesh around the seed is the source of the spice named “mace” [7]. Nutmeg is listed among the most traded commodities in the world according to the Product Complexity Index (PCI); 81.7% of the nutmeg export market worldwide is mainly coming from 5 countries; India, Indonesia, Netherlands, The United Arab Emirates (UAE), and

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion