Utilization of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) seed hydrodistillation time to produce essential oil fractions with varied compositions and pharmacological effects

Authors: IBRAHIM, MOHAMED - University Of Mississippi; Cantrell, Charles; JELIAZKOVA, EKATERINA - Oregon State University; ASTATKIE, TESS - Dalhousie University; ZHELJAZKOV, VALTCHO - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Molecules
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2020
Publication Date: 1/28/2020
Citation: Ibrahim, M.A., Cantrell, C.L., Jeliazkova, E.A., Astatkie, T., Zheljazkov, V.D. 2020. Utilization of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) seed hydrodistillation time to produce essential oil fractions with varied compositions and pharmacological effects. Molecules. 25(3):565. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030565.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030565

Interpretive Summary: 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. The fruit, similar in shape to the apricot, is eaten locally and once mature splits into two parts, exposing a crimson-colored aril, the mace, which is surrounding the brown seed nutmeg. Nutmeg oil production is about 500 - 1,200 kg per hectare and the oil is characterized by its unique pungent fragrance and warm taste. Nutmeg extracts and essential oil (EO) are used in new drug developments in India, China, and other tropical countries due to the various pharmacological activities. 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 (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, and 120-240 min. In addition, a control EO was collected from a straight 0-240 min non-stop distillation. In general, nutmeg seed oil yields increased with an increase of DT. These results may be utilized by industries using nutmeg EO.

Technical 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 (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, 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 a-phellandrene, 3-carene, p-cymene, limonene, a-thujene, a-pinene, camphene, sabinene, ß-pinene, and myrcene decreased, while the concentrations (%) of a-terpinene, y-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.