Phytochemical variations among four distinct varieties of Indian cardamom Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton.

Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton prestigiously called as Indian cardamom and is mostly cultivated in south India at higher altitudes ranging from 900 to 1400 msl. The chemical composition of dry capsules essential oil of the four distinct varieties was chemo-profiled by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results revealed a higher concentration of major monoterpene 1, 8-Cineole ranging between 28.94% and 34.91% in PV 1 and PV 2 varieties respectively. Other monoterpenes like α-Pinene, Sabinene, Linalool, α-Terpineol and Nerol were present considerable quantities in all of the four cardamom varieties. Two sesquiterpenic constituents namely, ç-Elemene and 1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol (Nerolidol) were identified in all varieties. Three ester constituents were also obtained in PV 1 in which α-Terpinyl acetate (26.68%) exhibited as a major ester constituent followed by Ocimenyl acetate (0.80%) and E5-Dodecenyl acetate (0.30%). This is the first published report on the phytochemical concentration of recent varieties of Indian cardamom.[Formula: see text].

Profiling bioactive flavonoids and carotenoids in select south Indian spices and nuts.

The objective of this study was to examine the bioactive flavonoids and carotenoids concentration in fifteen south Indian spice and two tree nut species using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Among four flavonoids, catechin concentration was the highest in all spices and nuts and ranged between 97.1 and 1745.4 µg g-1. Quercetin concentration was the greatest in cinnamon, followed by garlic and cumin and ranged from 0.4 to 65 µg g-1 in other spices and nuts. Lutein concentration ranged from 0.1 to 102.8 µg g-1. Of the spices and nuts studied, ß-carotene concentration was highest in coriander leaves (74.7 µg g-1), followed by red pepper (12.5 µg g-1) and curry leaves (8.5 µg g-1). This research shows that consumption of south Indian spices and nuts could substantially benefit consumers living in regions experiencing Vitamin A and other micronutrient deficiencies.