Cumin herb as a new source of essential oils and its response to foliar spray with some micro-elements

The effects of 50 mg/l levels of micronutrients (Zn and Mn), as single and combined treatments, on the growth, oil yield and oil constituents of cumin plants, were studied. Application of micronutrients had significant positive effects, in most cases, on growth measurements and chemical composition of cumin plants. A combined treatment of the two micronutrients gave the highest values in this respect. In the herb and seed oils, 21 constituents were identified, representing 90.2 and 95.6% of the total amounts, respectively. Eleven components were similar in both herb and seed oils. Cumin aldehyde was found as the main component at concentrations of 53.6% for seed oil and 40.5% for herb oil. Among the new identified components in the seed oil were perilla aldehyde, alpha-cis bergamotene, acoradiene and benzoic acid 4-(1-methylethyl). These components were found in the herb oil, as well. The oils of herb and seeds of cumin contained considerable amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes. Both oils were characterized by small amounts of monoterpenoid and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Qualitative and quantitative data indicated that oil production from cumin herb is a possibility. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.