Subban Nagarajan

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) Seed Volatile Oil: Chemistry and Role in Health and Disease Prevention

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the nutritional content of cumin seeds. Generally, spices produce biologically significant organic compounds, known as secondary metabolites, which include the volatile and non-volatile constituents. These constituents form the characteristic nature of the spice and possess medicinal and pharmacological properties with a possible impact on human health. The essential oil composition of cumin depends on many factors, such as the stage of maturity of the seeds from which oil is extracted, the method of extraction, types of cultivars, geographical origin, and storage conditions. Applications of the cumin seed in terms of health have been established based on its nutrient content. The cumin seeds are a good source of iron, manganese, potassium, zinc, essential amino acids, proteins, and other unsaturated fatty acids. Cumin seeds possess potential therapeutic and medicinal value, such as antioxidant activity, and use as a remedy for digestive disorders, skin diseases, and selected disorders of the nervous system, etc. The essential oil also shows significant antimicrobial activity against many bacteria, possesses chemopreventive activities, and has potential medicinal value. They are a very good source of iron, which play vital roles in the body. Cumin is used widely in traditional medicine to treat flatulence, digestive disorders, and diarrhea. To date, no adverse effects have been reported from the use of whole cumin, processed cumin, or its essential oil. It is used as a medicine for aches, inflammation, worm infestation, diarrhea, skin diseases, fever, vomiting, and nausea.

4-Chloro-3-methyl­phenyl quinoline-2-carboxyl­ate

In the title compound, C17H12ClNO2, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the quinoline ring system and the benzene ring is 68.7 (7)°. The mean plane of the carboxylate group is twisted from the latter planes by 14.0 (1) and 80.2 (4)°, respectively. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯O interactions are observed, forming chains along [001]. In addition, π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.8343 (13) and 3.7372 (13)Å] occur. No classical hydrogen bonds were observed.

4-Chloro-phenyl quinoline-2-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C16H10ClNO2, the dihedral angle between the quinoline ring system and the benzene ring is 14.7 (5)°. The carboxylate group is twisted from the mean planes of the quinoline ring system and the benzene ring by 17.7 (5) and 32.1 (4)°, respectively. In the crystal, inversion dimers are formed with the molecules linked by pairs of weak C—H⋯O interactions arising from an activated aromatic C atom adjacent to the C—Cl bond, generating R 2 2(14) loops.

2-Isopropyl-5-methyl-cyclo-hexyl quinoline-2-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C20H25NO2, the cyclohexyl ring adopts a slightly disordered chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the quinoline ring and the carboxylate group is 22.2 (6)°. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯N interactions make chains along [010].

3,4-Di­methyl­phenyl quinoline-2-carboxyl­ate

In the title compound, C18H15NO2, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the quinoline ring system and the phenyl ring is 48.1 (5)°. The mean plane of the carboxylate group is twisted from the mean planes of the latter by 19.8 (8) and 64.9 (5)°, respectively. The crystal packing features weak C—H⋯O interactions, which form chains along [010].