The ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) has published the latest in its series of Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletins. The latest entry is on nigella seed and seed oil, otherwise referred to as either “black seed” or “black cumin,” despite not sharing any relation to cumin. 
 
Nigella has a long history of use as food and traditional medicine, especially in the Middle East. In traditional remedies, whole or powdered nigella seeds are used to treat inflammation and respiratory conditions, as a remedy for bowel and digestive problems, and more. The seed oil is used externally on the skin, and internally for a host of health benefits.
 
The whole seed is subject to adulteration by the seeds of other species of Nigella, particularly N. damascene, and other lower-cost plant seeds of similar size and color. Nigella seed oil may be adulterated with undisclosed lower-cost oils such as palm (Elaeis guineensis), corn (Zea mays), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), soybean (Glycine max), or canola (Brassica napus) oil. Depending on the source, nigella seed oil can be 10- to 30-times more expensive than some common vegetable oils, providing motivation for economic adulteration.
 
The new BAPB was written by Nilüfer Orhan, PhD, an expert in natural products chemistry and analysis. It summarizes the available scientific data on nigella seed and seed oil adulteration and analytical methods to detect adulteration, and provides information about the botany, uses, supply chain/value network, and market of the botanical. Fifteen experts in quality control of medicinal plants from academia, non-profit organizations, contract analytical laboratories, and the herb industry peer reviewed the bulletin.
 
“Nigella is a relatively little-known but increasingly popular botanical in the Western medicinal herb and dietary supplement industry,” said Stefan Gafner, PhD, chief science officer of ABC and technical director of BAPP. “As more human clinical studies are published to support its health benefits, particularly in the areas of glycemic control, improvement of lipid profiles, and reduction of biomarkers of inflammation, nigella seed oil appears to be destined to become a more important ingredient in the coming years. Due to the relatively high cost of nigella seed oil compared to other vegetable oils, there is a risk that some nigella seed oil in the global market is diluted or outright substituted with some of these lower-cost oils, similar to what has been reported with the popular botanical ingredient saw palmetto.”
 
As with all BAPP publications, Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletins are freely accessible to all members of the public on the program’s website.
 
“Reaching the 75th document milestone is an accomplishment for BAPP,” said Ikhlas Khan, PhD, director of the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi. “It highlights how much has been accomplished, but there is much more to be done. We are thankful to Nilüfer Orhan and all our other BAPP writers for their excellent work and encourage more individuals and companies to become involved in the program.”