2016, Pages 181–192
Abstract
Trachyspermum ammi
(L.)—commonly known as ajwain or caraway—is native to Egypt and widely
grown all over Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The seeds
of T. ammi (L.) are widely used in India and eastern Asia, both
in diet and in traditional medicine. They contain fiber (11.9%),
carbohydrates (38.6%), tannins, glycosides, moisture (8.9%), protein
(15.4%), fat (18.1%), saponins, flavone, and mineral matter (7.1%).
Essential oil prepared from seeds contains thymol (50–60%), γ-terpinene,
and p-cymene, along with α- and β-pinenes, α-thujen, myrcene,
1,8-cineole, and carvacrol. Ajwain is an important commercial plant due
to its essential oil, which is used in the flavor/food industries.
Ajwain oil contributes to a wide range of medicinal applications, such
as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,
antibacterial, cytotoxic, antilithiasis, nematicidal, anthelmintic, and
antifilarial activities. Its seeds exhibit remarkable digestive and
antiseptive properties and are used in traditional medicine, primarily
to control bowel disorders such as indigestion, flatulence, colic, and
diarrhea. They are also used as a stimulant, stomachic, carminative,
aromatic, antispasmodic, antihypertensive, antiseptic, antiparasitic,
antiscorbutic, antihistamine, vermicide, emmenagogue, and sialagogue.
The ajwain oil components, thymol and carvacrol, have attributes for
antibacterial and antifungal action against wide range of microbes. This
distinctive contribution by ajwain oil components makes it a good food
preservative candidate to prevent food spoilage caused by bacteria and
fungi.
Keywords
- Ajwain;
- Antibacterial;
- Antifungal;
- Antioxidant;
- Food preservation;
- Thymol
List of Abbreviations
- ATP
- Adenosin triphosphate
- ESBLs
- Extended-spectrum-β-lactamases
- H2O2
- Hydrogen peroxide
- LAB
- Lactic acid bacteria
- MBC
- Minimum bactericidal concentration
- MIC
- Minimum inhibitory concentration
- US-FDA
- United States-Food and Drug Administration
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
