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Evaluation of the Chemical Composition of Nigella sativa L. Seeds Grown in Different Locations

Year 2026, , 11 - 18
https://doi.org/10.17097/agricultureatauni.1719128

Abstract

Nigella sativa L., commonly known as black cumin, holds a significant place among medicinal and aromatic plants due to its rich chemical composition and positive effects on health. This study was conducted to compare the chemical composition of black cumin seeds cultivated under different ecological conditions in Erzurum (Turkey) and Budapest (Hungary) in 2018. The 'Çameli' variety was used in both locations. The seeds were analyzed for their protein, oil, ash, and mineral contents, as well as their fatty acid profiles. All chemical analyses were carried out in the laboratories of the Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Atatürk University. Seeds from Türkiye exhibited higher levels of protein (20.5%), oil (37.2%), linoleic acid (62.60%), magnesium (434.31 mg/100 g), and manganese (13.61 mg/100 g). Conversely, seeds from Hungary showed greater concentrations of oleic acid (23.03%), phosphorus (1007.26 mg/100 g), potassium (1113.19 mg/100 g), calcium, iron, copper, and zinc. Total ash content was also slightly higher in seeds from Türkiye. These findings demonstrate that ecological factors such as climate, soil structure, and altitude significantly influence the nutritional and biochemical properties of black cumin seeds. The study provides valuable insights for optimizing the cultivation of Nigella sativa based on regional environmental conditions and offers practical implications for improving seed quality in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. In conclusion, ecological conditions play a decisive role in determining seed composition, and location-specific agricultural strategies should be considered to enhance both the quality and economic value of black cumin cultivation.

References

  • Al-Jassir, M.S. 1992. Chemical composition and microflora of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds growing in Saudi Arabia. Food Chemistry, 45, 239-242.
  • Albakry, Z., Karrar, E., Ahmed, I.A.M., Oz, E., Proestos, C., El Sheikha, A.F., Oz, F., Wu, G., & Wang, X. (2022). Nutritional Composition and Volatile Compounds of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Seed, Fatty Acid Composition and Tocopherols, Polyphenols, and Antioxidant Activity of Its Essential Oil. Horticulturae, 8(7), 575.
  • Biswas, A., Ahmed, T., Rana, M. R., Hoque, M. M., Ahmed, M. F., Sharma, M., Kandi, S., Rowshon, A., & Stephen Inbaraj, B. (2023). Fabrication and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles-based biocomposite films prepared using carboxymethyl cellulose, taro mucilage, and black cumin seed oil for evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Agronomy, 13(1), 147.
  • Can, M., Katar, D., Katar, N., Bagcı, M., & Subası, I. (2021). Yield and fatty acid composition of black cumin (Nigella sativa l.) populations collected from regions under different ecological conditions. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 19(2), 1325-1336.
  • Chatterjee, G., Saha, A. K., Khurshid, S., & Saha, A. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Therapeutic Efficacies of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Seed Oil and Its Thymoquinone. Journal of Medicinal Food, 28(4), 325-339.
  • Darakeh, S.A.S.S, Weisany, W., Diyanat, M., & Ebrahimi, R. (2021). Bio-organic fertilizers induce biochemical changes and affect seed oil fatty acids composition in black cumin (Nigella sativa Linn). Industrial Crops & Products, 164(2021), 113383.
  • Demirbolat, I., & Kartal, M. (2019). Turkish Pharmacopoeia black cumin seed oil monograph, Turk. Farmakope Derg, 4(1), 18-21.
  • Dieffenbacher, A., & Pocklington, W. D. (1992). 1st Supplement to the 7th Edition, Standard Methods for the Analysis of Oils, Fats and Derivatives, Blackwell Science.
  • Haron, H., Grace-Lynn, C., & Shahar, S. (2014). Comparison of Physicochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activities of Nigella sativa Seeds and Oils from Yemen, Iran and Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana, 43(4), 535-542.
  • Işık, F., Tunali Akbay, T., Yarat, A., Genc, Z., Pisiriciler, R., Caliskan-Ak, E., Cetinel, S., Altıntas, A., & Sener, G. (2011). Protective effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa) oil on TNBS-induced experimental colitis in rats. Digestive diseases and sciences, 56, 721-730.
  • Izgi, M.N. (2020). Effects of Different Nitrogen Dose Applications on Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): Some Vegetative Parameters and Oil Ratio. Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Gaziosmanpasa University, 37(1), 38-43. Kabir,Y., Shirakawa, H., & Komai, M. (2019). Nutritional composition of the indigenous cultivar of black cumin seeds from Bangladesh. Progress in Nutrition, 21(1), 428-434.
  • Kaskoos, R.A. (2011). Fatty Acid Composition of Black Cumin Oil from Iraq. Research Journal of Medicinal Plant, 5(1), 85-89.
  • Khalid, A., Bashir, S., Khalil, A.A., Shah, F.U.H., Khan, A.A., Khan, M.A., Gull, H., Aslam, A., Shahid, Q., Riaz, A., & Batool., A. (2019). Varietal Comparison of Proximate Analysis and Mineral Composition of Black Cumin Seed Powder. Pakistan Journal of Food Sciences, 29(2), 5-9.
  • Kinki, A.B. (2020). Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Released and Improved Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Varieties. World Scientific Research, 7(1), 1-4.
  • Mamun, M., & Absar, N. (2018). Major nutritional compositions of black cumin seeds–cultivated in Bangladesh and the physicochemical characteristics of its oil. International Food Research Journal, 25, 2634–2639.
  • Mariod, A.A., Edris, A.Y., Cheng, F.S., & Abdelwahab, I.S. (2012). Effect of germination periods and conditions on chemical composition, fatty acids and amino acids of two black cumin seeds. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum, Technologia Alimentaria, 11(4), 401-410.
  • Oubannin, S., Bijla, L., Gagour, J., Hajir, J., Aabd, A.N., Sakar, H., E., Salama, A.M., & Gharby, S. (2022). A comparative evaluation of proximate composition, elemental profiling and oil physicochemical properties of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds and argan (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) kernels. Chemical Data Collections, 41, 100920.
  • Pandey, R., Pandey, B., & Bhargava, A. (2025). An updated review on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Advanced Chinese Medicine, 2(1), 13-29.
  • Randhawa, M.A. & Al-Ghamdi, M.S. (2002). A review of the pharmaco-therapeutic effects of Nigella Sativa. Pakistan Journal of Medical Research, 41(2), 77-83.
  • Salaheldin, S., Hendawy, S. F., Hussein, M. S., & Soliman, W. S. (2020). Assessment the yield and quality of Nigella Sativa under different environmental conditions. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12(10), 29-33.
  • Sarwar, T., Almatroudi, A., Almatroodi, S. A., Alharbi, H. O. A., & Rahmani, A. H. (2025). In silico analysis of bioactive compounds of Nigella sativa as potential inhibitors of NS5B RdRp protein involved in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 1-20.
  • Shaheen, N., Azam, A., Ganguly, A., Anwar, S., Parvez, M. S. A., Punyamurtula, U., & Hasan, M. K. (2022). Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of black cumin (BC, Nigella sativa L.) extracts in in vivo model systems. Bulletin of the National Research Centre, 46(1), 26.
  • Sultan, M.T., Butt, M.S., Anjum, F.M., & Jamil, A. (2009). Influence of black cumin fixed and essential oil supplementation on markers of myocardial necrosis in normal and diabetic rats. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8(9), 1450-1455.
  • Terzi, A., Coban, S., Yildiz, F., Ates, M., Bitiren, M., Taskin, A., & Aksoy, N. (2010). Protective effects of Nigella sativa on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. J. Invest. Surg. 23(1), 21–27.
  • Tulukcu, E., (2011). A comparative study on fatty acid composition of black cumin obtained from different regions of Turkey, Iran and Syria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 6(4), 892-895.
  • Tura, A.M., Debisa, M.D., Tulu, E.D., & Tilinti, B.Z. (2023). Evaluation of proximate, phytochemical, and heavy metal content in black cumin and fenugreek cultivated in Gamo zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Food Science, 2023, 11.
  • Ulus, C. A., Sökülmez, P. K., & Taşçı, B. (2018). Çörek Otu (Nigella sativa L.) Tohumunun Kimyasal Bileşimi ve insan Sağlığındaki Yeri. Samsun Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 3(1), 25-29.
  • Yaşar, E. (2005). Çukurova Üniversitesi Kampusunda Doğal Olarak Yetişen Bazı Çok Yıllık Tıbbi Bitkilerin Toprak Özellikleri ile Sabit ve Uçucu Yağ İçeriklerinin Belirlenmesi [Master's thesis, Çukurova Üniversity Adana]. YÖK Ulusal Tez Merkezi.

Farklı Lokasyonlarda Yetiştirilen Çörek Otu (Nigella sativa L.) Tohumlarının Kimyasal Kompozisyonlarının Değerlendirilmesi

Year 2026, , 11 - 18
https://doi.org/10.17097/agricultureatauni.1719128

Abstract

Çörek otu (Nigella sativa L.), zengin kimyasal bileşimi ve sağlık üzerindeki olumlu etkileri sayesinde tıbbi ve aromatik bitkiler arasında önemli bir yere sahiptir. Bu çalışma, 2018 yılında Türkiye'nin Erzurum ili ile Macaristan’ın Budapeşte kentinde, farklı ekolojik koşullar altında yetiştirilen çörek otu tohumlarının kimyasal bileşimlerini karşılaştırmak amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Her iki lokasyonda da 'Çameli' çeşidi kullanılmış; tohumların protein, yağ, kül ve mineral içerikleri ile yağ asidi profilleri analiz edilmiştir. Tüm kimyasal analizler, Atatürk Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü laboratuvarlarında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Türkiye’de yetiştirilen tohumlarda protein (%20,5), yağ (%37,2), linoleik asit (%62,60), magnezyum (434,31 mg/100 g) ve manganez (13,61 mg/100 g) değerleri daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Buna karşılık, Macaristan’da yetiştirilen tohumlar oleik asit (%23,03), fosfor (1007,26 mg/100 g), potasyum (1113,19 mg/100 g), kalsiyum, demir, bakır ve çinko açısından daha zengin bulunmuştur. Türkiye örneklerinde toplam kül oranı da daha yüksektir. Bu sonuçlar, iklim, toprak yapısı ve rakım gibi ekolojik faktörlerin çörek otu tohumlarının besin ve biyokimyasal özelliklerini belirlemede etkili olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma, Nigella sativa’nın bölgeye özgü ekolojik koşullara göre optimize edilerek yetiştirilmesine yönelik bilimsel bir temel sunmakta ve beslenme, farmasötik ve endüstriyel kullanım alanlarına katkı sağlamaktadır.

References

  • Al-Jassir, M.S. 1992. Chemical composition and microflora of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds growing in Saudi Arabia. Food Chemistry, 45, 239-242.
  • Albakry, Z., Karrar, E., Ahmed, I.A.M., Oz, E., Proestos, C., El Sheikha, A.F., Oz, F., Wu, G., & Wang, X. (2022). Nutritional Composition and Volatile Compounds of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Seed, Fatty Acid Composition and Tocopherols, Polyphenols, and Antioxidant Activity of Its Essential Oil. Horticulturae, 8(7), 575.
  • Biswas, A., Ahmed, T., Rana, M. R., Hoque, M. M., Ahmed, M. F., Sharma, M., Kandi, S., Rowshon, A., & Stephen Inbaraj, B. (2023). Fabrication and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles-based biocomposite films prepared using carboxymethyl cellulose, taro mucilage, and black cumin seed oil for evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Agronomy, 13(1), 147.
  • Can, M., Katar, D., Katar, N., Bagcı, M., & Subası, I. (2021). Yield and fatty acid composition of black cumin (Nigella sativa l.) populations collected from regions under different ecological conditions. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 19(2), 1325-1336.
  • Chatterjee, G., Saha, A. K., Khurshid, S., & Saha, A. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Therapeutic Efficacies of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Seed Oil and Its Thymoquinone. Journal of Medicinal Food, 28(4), 325-339.
  • Darakeh, S.A.S.S, Weisany, W., Diyanat, M., & Ebrahimi, R. (2021). Bio-organic fertilizers induce biochemical changes and affect seed oil fatty acids composition in black cumin (Nigella sativa Linn). Industrial Crops & Products, 164(2021), 113383.
  • Demirbolat, I., & Kartal, M. (2019). Turkish Pharmacopoeia black cumin seed oil monograph, Turk. Farmakope Derg, 4(1), 18-21.
  • Dieffenbacher, A., & Pocklington, W. D. (1992). 1st Supplement to the 7th Edition, Standard Methods for the Analysis of Oils, Fats and Derivatives, Blackwell Science.
  • Haron, H., Grace-Lynn, C., & Shahar, S. (2014). Comparison of Physicochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activities of Nigella sativa Seeds and Oils from Yemen, Iran and Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana, 43(4), 535-542.
  • Işık, F., Tunali Akbay, T., Yarat, A., Genc, Z., Pisiriciler, R., Caliskan-Ak, E., Cetinel, S., Altıntas, A., & Sener, G. (2011). Protective effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa) oil on TNBS-induced experimental colitis in rats. Digestive diseases and sciences, 56, 721-730.
  • Izgi, M.N. (2020). Effects of Different Nitrogen Dose Applications on Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): Some Vegetative Parameters and Oil Ratio. Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Gaziosmanpasa University, 37(1), 38-43. Kabir,Y., Shirakawa, H., & Komai, M. (2019). Nutritional composition of the indigenous cultivar of black cumin seeds from Bangladesh. Progress in Nutrition, 21(1), 428-434.
  • Kaskoos, R.A. (2011). Fatty Acid Composition of Black Cumin Oil from Iraq. Research Journal of Medicinal Plant, 5(1), 85-89.
  • Khalid, A., Bashir, S., Khalil, A.A., Shah, F.U.H., Khan, A.A., Khan, M.A., Gull, H., Aslam, A., Shahid, Q., Riaz, A., & Batool., A. (2019). Varietal Comparison of Proximate Analysis and Mineral Composition of Black Cumin Seed Powder. Pakistan Journal of Food Sciences, 29(2), 5-9.
  • Kinki, A.B. (2020). Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Released and Improved Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Varieties. World Scientific Research, 7(1), 1-4.
  • Mamun, M., & Absar, N. (2018). Major nutritional compositions of black cumin seeds–cultivated in Bangladesh and the physicochemical characteristics of its oil. International Food Research Journal, 25, 2634–2639.
  • Mariod, A.A., Edris, A.Y., Cheng, F.S., & Abdelwahab, I.S. (2012). Effect of germination periods and conditions on chemical composition, fatty acids and amino acids of two black cumin seeds. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum, Technologia Alimentaria, 11(4), 401-410.
  • Oubannin, S., Bijla, L., Gagour, J., Hajir, J., Aabd, A.N., Sakar, H., E., Salama, A.M., & Gharby, S. (2022). A comparative evaluation of proximate composition, elemental profiling and oil physicochemical properties of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds and argan (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) kernels. Chemical Data Collections, 41, 100920.
  • Pandey, R., Pandey, B., & Bhargava, A. (2025). An updated review on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Advanced Chinese Medicine, 2(1), 13-29.
  • Randhawa, M.A. & Al-Ghamdi, M.S. (2002). A review of the pharmaco-therapeutic effects of Nigella Sativa. Pakistan Journal of Medical Research, 41(2), 77-83.
  • Salaheldin, S., Hendawy, S. F., Hussein, M. S., & Soliman, W. S. (2020). Assessment the yield and quality of Nigella Sativa under different environmental conditions. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12(10), 29-33.
  • Sarwar, T., Almatroudi, A., Almatroodi, S. A., Alharbi, H. O. A., & Rahmani, A. H. (2025). In silico analysis of bioactive compounds of Nigella sativa as potential inhibitors of NS5B RdRp protein involved in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 1-20.
  • Shaheen, N., Azam, A., Ganguly, A., Anwar, S., Parvez, M. S. A., Punyamurtula, U., & Hasan, M. K. (2022). Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of black cumin (BC, Nigella sativa L.) extracts in in vivo model systems. Bulletin of the National Research Centre, 46(1), 26.
  • Sultan, M.T., Butt, M.S., Anjum, F.M., & Jamil, A. (2009). Influence of black cumin fixed and essential oil supplementation on markers of myocardial necrosis in normal and diabetic rats. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8(9), 1450-1455.
  • Terzi, A., Coban, S., Yildiz, F., Ates, M., Bitiren, M., Taskin, A., & Aksoy, N. (2010). Protective effects of Nigella sativa on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. J. Invest. Surg. 23(1), 21–27.
  • Tulukcu, E., (2011). A comparative study on fatty acid composition of black cumin obtained from different regions of Turkey, Iran and Syria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 6(4), 892-895.
  • Tura, A.M., Debisa, M.D., Tulu, E.D., & Tilinti, B.Z. (2023). Evaluation of proximate, phytochemical, and heavy metal content in black cumin and fenugreek cultivated in Gamo zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Food Science, 2023, 11.
  • Ulus, C. A., Sökülmez, P. K., & Taşçı, B. (2018). Çörek Otu (Nigella sativa L.) Tohumunun Kimyasal Bileşimi ve insan Sağlığındaki Yeri. Samsun Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 3(1), 25-29.
  • Yaşar, E. (2005). Çukurova Üniversitesi Kampusunda Doğal Olarak Yetişen Bazı Çok Yıllık Tıbbi Bitkilerin Toprak Özellikleri ile Sabit ve Uçucu Yağ İçeriklerinin Belirlenmesi [Master's thesis, Çukurova Üniversity Adana]. YÖK Ulusal Tez Merkezi.
There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Agricultural Engineering (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Beyzanur Budak 0009-0007-7006-368X

Péter Radácsi 0000-0003-1562-4708

Furkan Çoban 0000-0003-2815-8988

Early Pub Date November 9, 2025
Publication Date November 13, 2025
Submission Date June 13, 2025
Acceptance Date October 19, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2026

Cite

APA Budak, B., Radácsi, P., & Çoban, F. (2025). Evaluation of the Chemical Composition of Nigella sativa L. Seeds Grown in Different Locations. Research in Agricultural Sciences11-18. https://doi.org/10.17097/agricultureatauni.1719128

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