Evaluation of Extraction Methods for Nigella sativa

Nigella sativa is an annual flowering plant found in south and southwest Asia. Nigella sativa oil contains conjugated linoleic acid thymoquinone nigellone (dithymoquinone) melanthin nigilline damascenine and tannins. In present study a comparison was made among the extraction efficacy of cold maceration soxhlet extraction and microwave assisted extraction. Cold maceration of black seeds gave maximum extract after 21 hours of extraction. A maximum of 6.75 g of extract was obtained by soxhlet extraction of Nigella sativa. While Microwaves produced maximum extract (15 g/gram of plant material) in just 60 seconds of extraction. Hence it is proved in present study that microwave assisted extraction is a rapid and efficient way of extraction of secondary metabolites from seeds of Nigella sativa.