COMPARATIVE PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF OILS DERIVED FROM NIGELLA SATIVA AND CORIANDRUM SATIVUM L.

The black cumin (Nigella sativa) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L) are well-known representatives from Ranunculaceae and Apiaceae families, respectively. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the physicochemical properties of oils derived from black cumin and coriander. Their visible and fluorescent spectra have been recorded. The fatty acid profile for both oils has been obtained, indicating the predominant constituent of the oil to be linoleic acid (C 18:2) in 58.2 % and 42.29 %, respectively. The oils have a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, γ- and α-tocopherols. Oxidative stability of coriander oil is lower (8.2 h) compared to that of the black cumin oil (12 h). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure the enthalpy changes and phase transitions in both oils samples. The concentrations of some elements (essential and toxic) in the oils were determined after acidic decomposition by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The low content of Pb, As and Cd makes the oils safe to be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]