Contaminação microscópica por matérias estranhas em noz-moscada, cúrcuma, gengibre, colorífico, pimenta-do-reino e páprica comercializados no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. (Parte I) / Microscopic contamination by foreign matter in nutmeg, turmeric, ginger, colorific, black pepper and paprika marketed in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Part I)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a presença de matérias estranhas em noz-moscada, (Myristica fragrans Houttuyn), cúrcuma (Curcuma longa Linnaeus), gengibre (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), colorífico (mistura de urucum [Bixa orellana Linnaeus] com fubá), pimenta-do-reino (Piper nigrum Linnaeus) e páprica (Capsicum annuum Linnaeus) conforme a legislação sanitária. Foram analisadas 180 amostras empregando os métodos preconizados pela AOAC International, de maio de 2018 a maio de 2020. A presença de ao menos uma matéria estranha foi observada em 80% das amostras. Pelos animais foram observados em todos os produtos e fragmentos de insetos foram encontrados na maioria das amostras. Ácaro, inseto inteiro, larva de inseto, bárbula e exúvia também foram encontrados, além de fibras sintéticas e fragmentos de microplásticos. Quanto à legislação, 47,8% das amostras estavam acima dos limites de tolerância, destas, 90,7% por conterem matérias estranhas indicativas de falhas na aplicação das boas práticas e 9,3% por matérias estranhas indicativas de risco à saúde. Os resultados obtidos denotam ineficiência da aplicação das medidas de boas práticas na cadeia produtiva e alertam para a intensificação da fiscalização direcionada ao cumprimento das normas sanitárias, além de provocarem a reflexão sobre a necessidade de alterações na legislação referente às matérias estranhas. (AU)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of foreign matter in nutmeg, (Myristica fragrans Houttuyn), turmeric (Curcuma longa Linnaeus), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), colorific (mixture of annatto [Bixa orellana Linnaeus] with cornmeal), black pepper (Piper nigrum Linnaeus) and paprika (Capsicum annuum Linnaeus) according to the health legislation. A total of 180 samples were analyzed using the methods recommended by AOAC International, from May 2018 to May 2020. The presence of at least one foreign matter was observed in 80% of the samples. Animal's hairs were observed in all the evaluated products and insect's fragments were found in the most of the samples. Mites, whole insects, insect larvae, barbules and exuvia were also found, as wellas synthetic fibers and microplastic fragments. About legislation, 47.8% of the samples were above the tolerance limits, of these, 90.7% for containing foreign matters indicating failure of good practices and 9.3% for foreign matters indicating health risk. The results obtained show inefficiency in the application of good practice measures in production chain and advertise for the intensification of inspection directed to fulfillment of sanitary norms, besides provoking the reflection on the necessity of alterations in the legislation about foreign matter in foods. (AU)

Verificação de adulterações em cúrcuma, gengibre, noz-moscada, páprica, pimenta-do-reino e colorífico, comercializados no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. (Parte II) / Verification of adulterations in turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, paprika, black pepper and colorífico marketed in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. (Part II)

Especiarias são produtos constituídos de partes de espécies vegetais com importante valor alimentício e diversos benefícios para a saúde. O objetivo deste trabalho foi pesquisar adulterações na composição de cúrcuma (Curcuma longa Linnaeus), gengibre (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), noz-moscada (Myristica fragrans Houttuyn), páprica (Capsicum annuum Linnaeus), pimenta-do-reino (Piper nigrum Linnaeus) e colorífico (mistura de urucum, Bixa orellana Linnaeus, com fubá). Foram analisadas 180 amostras adquiridas em municípios do estado de São Paulo. A investigação dos elementos histológicos foi feita por microscopia óptica, a análise dos corantes por cromatografia em papel e a quantificação da bixina por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Das amostras analisadas, 16,1% apresentaram elementos histológicos estranhos ao produto, sendo que nenhuma amostra apresentou corante orgânico artificial. A concentração de bixina nas amostras de colorífico variou entre 0,6 e 105,3 mg/100g, com média de 18,9 mg/100g e desvio padrão de 17,7 mg/100g. A avaliação microscópica revelou que a maioria das adulterações ocorre pela adição de amido de Zea mays. O colorífico não apresentou adulterações, porém foi constatada a necessidade de uma padronização da concentração de bixina. Este estudo demonstrou a necessidade da intensificação do monitoramento de adulterações em especiarias para que a comercialização de alimentos fidedignos seja garantida. (AU)

Spices are products made up of parts of plant species, with important nutritional value and many health benefits. The aim of this work was to evaluate adulterations in turmeric (Curcuma longa Linnaeus), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houttuyn), paprika (Capsicum annuum Linnaeus), black pepper (Piper nigrumLinnaeus) and colorific (mixture containing Bixa orellana with cornmeal). A total of 180 samples purchased in the municipalities of the state of São Paulo were analyzed. The investigation of the histological elements was performed by optical microscopy, the analysis of the dyes was carried out using paper chromatography and the quantification of the bixin was performance by high performance liquid chromatography. Of the 180 samples analyzed, 16.1% presented strange histological elements, classified as adulterations. Among the adulterated samples, none showed organic dye. Bixin analysis was carried out on colorific samples, ranging from 0.6 ­ 105.3 mg/100g, with an average of 18.9 mg/100g and standard deviation of 17.7 mg/100g, demonstrating the need to regulate the annatto extract concentration range added into the condiment. The evaluation demonstrated the necessity to monitor adulteration in spices, so that producers and merchants provide food with quality to the consumer. (AU)

In vitro biological control of Ceratobasidium ramicola by using tannin extracts from Acacia villosa, Myristica fragrans, Acacia mangium, and Calliandra calothyrsus leaves / Controle biológico in vitro de Ceratobasidium ramicola usando extratos tânicos de folhas de Acacia villosa, Myristica fragrans, Acacia mangium e Calliandra calothyrsus

Abstract Ceratobasidium ramicola is a fitopathogenic fungus that harmful and causes various levels of damage on several types of forestry and horticultural crops. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Acacia villosa, Myristica fragrans, Acacia mangium and Calliandra calothyrsus leaf extracts as tannin sources related to the in vitro inhibition of Ceratobasidium ramicola growth. The in vitro inhibition was performed by employing solid potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium to obtain the radial inhibition, while liquid potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium was used to obtain the biomass inhibition. Experimental design was based on in time nested-completely randomized design and statistical analysis was carried out with SAS software version 9.1. The result of radial growth inhibition of Ceratobasidium ramicola showed that tannin extracts of A. mangium and M. Fragrans were not significantly different to each other. Treatment of tannin extracts from A. villosa, M. fragrans, A. mangium and C. Calothyrsus with a concentration of 1% were significantly different with other concentrations and resulted the greatest inhibition values. Tannin extract of A. Mangium at 1% concentration produced the greatest radial inhibition by 33.2%. In most cases, the effective inhibition from tannin extract occurred at the 24h of incubation. The greatest biomass inhibition was produced on 1% tannin extract of A. mangium by 64.3%, while the lowest was produced from 1% tannin extract of M. fragrans by 27.0%.

Resumo Ceratobasidium ramicola é um fungo fitopatogênico prejudicial que causa vários danos em diversas culturas florestais e agrícolas. O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar o efeito dos extratos de folhas de Acacia villosa, Myristica fragrans, Acacia mangium e Calliandra calothyrsus como fontes de tanino relacionadas à inibição do crescimento in vitro de Ceratobasidium ramicola. A inibição in vitro foi realizada empregando o meio de ágar batata dextrose para obter a inibição radial, enquanto o meio de caldo de batata dextrose líquido foi usado para obter a inibição da biomassa. O projeto experimental foi fundamentado in time. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, e a análise estatística foi realizada com o software SAS, versão 9.1. O resultado da inibição do crescimento radial de Ceratobasidium ramicola mostrou que os extratos de tanino de A. mangium e M. fragrans não diferiram significativamente entre si. Os tratamentos de extratos de tanino de A. villosa, M. fragrans, A. mangium e C. Calothyrsus, utilizando uma concentração de 1%, foram significativamente diferentes em comparação com outras concentrações e resultaram em maiores valores de inibição. O extrato de tanino de A. mangium a 1% de concentração produziu a maior inibição radial, com taxa de 33,2%. Na maioria dos casos, a inibição efetiva do extrato de tanino ocorreu em 24 horas de incubação. A maior inibição de biomassa foi produzida em 1% de extrato de tanino de A. Mangium, com taxa de 64,3%, enquanto a menor foi produzida a partir de 1% de extrato de tanino de M. fragrans, com taxa de 27%.

Atividade antimicrobiana de óleos essenciais de diferentes especiarias / Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of different spices

As especiarias são utilizadas na alimentação, conferindo sabor e conservação prolongada aos alimentos, pois apresentam propriedades antimicrobianas provenientes dos óleos essenciais de sua constituição. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana dos óleos essenciais de cravo, louro, manjericão, noz moscada e orégano frente a seis bactérias patogênicas e deteriorantes por meio da técnica de difusão em poços e determinação das Concentrações Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e Bactericida Mínima (CBM). O óleo essencial de orégano evidenciou forte atividade antibacteriana (CIM 50 - 800 μg.mL-1), seguido do cravo (CIM 800 - 3200 μg.mL-1), com atividade moderada para todos os microrganismos. Os outros óleos apresentaram baixa ação (CIM 400 - 3200 μg.mL-1), não apresentando atividade sobre todos as bactérias. Desta forma os óleos essenciais de cravo e orégano apresentaram melhor atividade antibacteriana e se apresentam como promissores para a aplicação e uso em alimentos.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (mace) extract on human oral epidermal carcinoma KB cell lines

Several studies have revealed that certain naturally occurring medicinal plants inhibit the growth of various cancers. The present study was conducted to evaluate cytotoxicity and apoptotic induction potential of Myristica fragrans Houtt mace extract. The cytotoxic activity of the Myristica fragrans Houtt mace acetone extract was assayed by MTT assay on human oral epidermal carcinoma KB cell lines. KB cells were incubated with different concentration of mace extract ranging from 25 to 125 µg/mL for 24hrs. The apoptotic induction potential was also studied by the analysis of Bcl-2 protein and gene expression in mace extract incubated KB cell lines using western blotting technique and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The mace extract exhibited cytotoxicity and anticancer effect against KB cell lines and it also suppressed the growth of cancer cells, therefore growth inhibitory effect was noted in extract treated cell lines. The apoptotic potential of mace extract was accompanied by reduced gene expression of Bcl-2 compared to the untreated KB cells. The mace extract shows the cytotoxic activity and induced the apoptosis through the modulation of its target genes Bcl-2 in the KB cell lines, suggesting the potential of mace as a candidate for oral cancer chemoprevention. This can be further investigated in vivo for its anticancer potential.

Diarylbutane-type Lignans from Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) show the Cytotoxicity against Breast Cancer Cells through Activation of AMP-activated Protein Kinase

In our program to search for new AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators from plants that exert potential anticancer property, we found that an EtOAc extract of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) activated AMPK enzyme in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Two major diarylbutane-type lignans, macelignan and meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (MDGA), were isolated as active principles from this extract. Treatment of breast cancer cells with two compounds induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and Ser 15 phosphorylation of p53. Moreover, macelignan and MDGA significantly inhibited the colony formation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells on soft agar. Intraperitoneal injection of macelignan and MDGA (20 mg/kg) suppressed the tumor growth of 4T1 mammary cancer cells. These results indicate that the chemopreventive effects of two major diarylbutane-type lignans from Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) may be associated with induction of apoptosis presumably through AMPK activation.

Antioxidant and antiangiogenic activities of the essential oils of Myristica fragrans and Morinda citrifolia

OBJECTIVE@#Toinvestigate the anti-angiogenic activity and antioxidant properties of Myristica fragrans (M. fragrans) (nutmeg) and Morinda citrifolia (M. citrifolia)(mengkudu) oils.@*METHODS@#The nutmeg and megkudu essential oils were obtained by steam distillation. The antioxidant activities of both essential oils were determined by beta-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching assay and reducing power while the anti-angiogenic activity was investigated using rat aortic ring assay using various concentrations.@*RESULTS@#The results showed that nutmeg oil has higher antioxidant activity than mengkudu oil. The nutmeg oil effectively inhibited the oxidation of linoleic acid with (88.68±0.1)% while the inhibition percentage of oxidation of linoleic acid of the mengkudu oil is (69.44±0.4)%. The nutmeg oil and mengkudu oil showed reducing power with an EC(50) value of 181.4 μg/mL and 3 043.0 μg/mL, respectively. The antiangiogenic activity of nutmeg oil showed significant antiangiogenic activity with IC(50) of 77.64 μg/mL comparing to mengkudu oil which exhibits IC(50) of 109.30 μg/mL.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Bioactive compound(s) will be isolated from the nutmeg essential oil to be developed as antiangiogenic drugs.

In vitro antibacterial effects of five volatile oil extracts against intramacrophage Brucella abortus 544

Brucella abortus is a gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium that can cause a highly contagious disease in sheep, goats, cattle and one-humped camels. It is responsible for one of the most important zoonosis in human. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Mentha piperita, Origanum majorana, Citrus lemon, Cinnamomum verum and Myristica fragrans essential volatile oil extracts on human macrophages infected by B. abortus 544. Essential volatile oil extracts from M. piperita, O. majorana, C. lemon, C. verum and M. fragrans were extracted. Human macrophages were cultured at a density of 2_10[5] cells per well in sterile 96-well microtiter plates, and infected with B. abortus 544 at a ratio of 1:100 bacteria/cell. Then essential volatile oil extracts were added at a concentration of 1%. At specified times; cells were washed, lysed with 0.1% Triton, and plated on 2YT agar to determine the number of intracellular bacteria. Cinnamomum verum volatile oil at a concentration of 1% had the highest antibacterial activity against B. abortus 544 inside human macrophages. Its inhibitory effect observed from 24 h and continued till 144 h after the infection. Moreover, C. verum [0.1%] in combination with 1% concentration of M. piperita, O. majorana, C. lemon or M. fragrans volatile oil extracts produced a synergistic inhibitory effect against B. abortus 544. The results indicate that, among the five selected oil extracts, C. verum volatile oil applied either separately or in combination with other oil extracts had the most effective antimicrobial activity against Brucella

Preparation of new formulations of balm as a remedy of flu and their efficacy

Influenza, called the flu, is an acute, highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract, which commonly occurs in children or adults of any age mostly in the winter. In the present study three new formulations of petroleum jelly and essential oils based balm were prepared for the treatment of flu and their efficacy was studied on different age group people i.e. infants, adults, and old age. Results showed that the prepared balms not only gave relief from headache, fever, cough etc., but also they reduced the intensity of viral infection

Effect of volatile oil from nutmeg on liver microsomal cytochrome P450 in mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of the volatile oil from nutmeg on liver microsomal cytochrome P450 in mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Mice were administered the volatile oil from nutmeg at 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mg x g(-1), respectively, twice a day for 10 days. And then, the contents of liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP), cytochrome b5 (Cytb5), MDA and GST in serum were examined by UV chromatography method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The contents of liver CYP, Cytb5 and GST in serum were increased significantly (P < 0.01) and the contents of MDA was reduced significantly (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The volatile oil from nutmeg showed induction effect on the hepatic microsomal CYP in mice.</p>

Conteúdo de miristicina em preparados de noz moscada (myristica fragans, Houtt) / Myristicin contents in nutmeg (Myristica fragans, Houtt) preparations

O objetivo deste trabalho foi de estabelecer um procedimento para determinar os teores de miristicina em sementes, óleo essencial e extrato aquoso de noz-moscada, com a finalidade de avaliar as propriedades benéficas e/ou tóxicas desta semente. As amostras de noz-moscada em pó e de semente foram coletadas nas regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil. A composição das frações, umidade, proteína, extrato etéreo, cinzas foi determinada conforme a AOAC. A miristicina foi determinada nas amostras de sementes, na fração lipídica e nos respectivos extratos hidrotérmicos e na infusão por meio de cromatografia gasosa. As sementes de noz-moscada comercializadas na forma de pó apresentaram maior variabilidade em sua composição centesimal, especialmente demonstrada pelo teor de nitrogênio (6 a 12%) e extrato etéreo (15 a 36%). O procedimento proposto para determinar miristicina mostrou a melhor performance quando a determinação foi realizada no extrato hidrotérmico da fração lipídica extraída a frio, sendo a recuperação de 88%, o coeficiente de variação 9% e o limite de quantificação de 3 mg/g de amostra. Os maiores teores de miristicina foram encontrados no extrato hidroalcoólico da fração lipídica das sementes e do pó de noz-moscada, respectivamente de 37 e 22 mg/g de amostra.

New neolignan from seed of Myristica fragrans / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents in the nutmeg (seed of Myristica fragrans).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and structurally elucidated by IR, NMR and MS evidences.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Fifteen compounds were obtained and identified as myristicin (1), methyleugenol (2), safrole (3), 2, 3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2(3, 4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-(E) -propenyl-benzofuran (4), dehydrodiisoeugenol (5), 2, 3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2-(3-methoxy-4, 5-methylenedioxyphenyl) -3-methyl-5-(E)-propenyl-benzofuran (6), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4-dimetho- xyphenyl) propane (7), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxyphenyl) propane (8), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl) propan-1-ol acetate (9), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl) propan-1-ol (10), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxyphenyl) propan-1-ol (11), 5-methoxy-dehydrodiisoeugenol (12), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propan-1-ol (13), guaiacin (14) and threo-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3-methoxy-5-hydroxy-phenyl) propan-1-ol (15).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 15 is a new compound and named myrisisolignan. Compound 7 is isolated from the genus Myristica for the first time.</p>

Myristica fragrans Houtt. methanolic extract induces apoptosis in a human leukemia cell line through SIRT1 mRNA downregulation.

BACKGROUND: Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) contains antibacterial, antiviral and anti-cancer activities. However the mechanisms underlying those activities have not been clearly explained. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. methanolic extract on Jurkat human leukemia T cell line. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Methanol extract of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae) was used to study the effect on Jurkat cell metabolic activity using an MTT assay and on apoptosis using annexin V staining. Expression of SIRT1 gene was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: At the concentrations 50 and 100 ig/mL, the methanol extract of Myristica fragrans Houtt significantly inhibited Jurkat cell proliferation and induced apoptosis as detected by annexin V staining. Downregulation of SIRT1 mRNA expression in Jurkat cells was observed even when the amount of methanol extract was 10 microg/mL. CONCLUSION: Methanol extract of Myristica fragrans Houtt induced apoptosis of Jurkat leukemia T cell line in a mechanisms involving SIRTI mRNA downregulation.

GC-MS analysis of essential oil from nutmeg processed by different traditional methods / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the chemical components of the essential oil extracted from the seeds of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) processed by different methods (steamed with water steam, roasted with flour, sauted with flour, roasted with talcum powder, roasted with loess, and roasted with bran) and to provide quality control foundations in the sciences.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The essential oil was extracted by steam distillation and separated with GC capillary column. The relative content of every compound was determined with area normalization method and the structures were elucidated by GC-MS technique.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Fifty-eight to one hundred and four of chromatographic peaks were detected, among them seventy-six compounds accounting for 98.32% to 99.99% of the total essential oil in nutmeg were identified, which were composed of 69.15% to 97.24% for monoterpenoids and 2.06% to 25.51% for aromatic compounds of the total essential oil, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It was shown that monoterpenoids and their derivatives were main composition, and aromatic compounds were secondary composition in the total essential oil of nutmeg grows in Indonesia and processed by different traditional methods on the basis of theory of traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, it was suggested that we should be careful to use processed nutmeg owing to contain safrole and a-asarone induced genetoxicity in animals and mutagenicity in the Ames Salmonella assay, and myristicin and elemicin induced narcotism in human. The processed method roasted with bran for nutmeg may be better and will be developed.</p>

Comparing analysis of components in volatile oils of nutmeg and prepared nutmeg by GC-MS / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare components in volatile oils of nutmeg and prepared nutmeg.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Volatile oil from nutmeg and prepared nutmeg were extracted by vapor distillation. The chemical components in two kinds of volatile oils were determined and indentified by GC-MS.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The change in quantity and quality of components in volatile oils were observed after processing. 13 new components occurred and 4 components disappeared in volatile oils after processing. The contents of methyleugenol and methylisoeugenol that are active ingredients were increased. The contents of myristicin and safrol that are toxic ingredients in volatile oils were decreased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The processing method of nutmeg by soaking with water and roasting with bran is scientific.</p>

Preliminary attempt at the speciation of 25-elements in the Chinese medicinal herbs / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To make an attempt at the multi-element speciation in the Chinese medicinal herbs by determining the concentrations of 25 elements in different extraction solutions.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Firstly, five Chinese medicinal herbs (Buddleja officinalis, Dictamnus dasycarpus, Myristica fragrans, Albizia judibrissin and Inula japonica) from the same region of China were treated to obtain water-soluble phase, lipid-soluble phase and non-soluble phase by water extraction, organic solvent extraction and acid digestion, respectively. Secondly, Phytolacca acinosa, a Chinese medicinal herb collected from 9 regions of China, was extracted by 0% EtOH, 50% EtOH, 75% EtOH, 95% EtOH, respectively, referring the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Finally, the concentrations of 25 elements, such as Be, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Tl, Pb and REEs, in the above three phases were determined by ICP-MS.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Under the optimal conditions, all the 25 elements could be determined with detection limits ranged from 0.003 to 0.71 ng x g(-1). The average recoveries of the elements in P. acinosa were 88% approximately 119%, with the relative standard deviations 1.7% approximately 13.3%. It was observed that the determined 25 elements distributed in all the water-soluble, lipid-soluble and non-soluble phases, indicating that the inorganic species, organicspecies, as well as the protein bound species were coexisted in the herbs. Big differences of the element extraction rates could be found by using different ethanol solutions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>With the aid of the obtained results, we may increase the extraction of necessary elements while decrease that of the toxic elements from the herbs by choosing a suitable solvent during the drug production.</p>

GC-MS analysis of essential oils from seeds of Myristica fragrans in Chinese market / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the constituents of the essential oils extracted from nine samples of commercial seeds of Myristica fragrans Houtt respectively and to provide qualities control foundations.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Water steam distillation and GC-MS were used.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>95-118 compounds were separated respectively. 79 Compounds being identified which were 95.18%-98.70% of the total essential oil.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Myristicin (39.63%) and terpene series were the main compounds.</p>