Patent
EXTRACTIONS OF FIXED OIL AND THYMOQUINONE RICH FRACTIONS (TQRF)
The present invention is generally referred to extractions of fixed oil and thymoquinone rich fractions (TQRF). Nigella sativa L. belongs to the family of Ranuculaceae, which is known as food flavouring agents, food preservatives as well as health-promoting ingredients since few thousands years ago.
Generally, Nigella sativa seeds contain more than 30% of fixed oil and 0.40% to 0.45% of volatile oil. Nigella sativa oil is considered as one of the excellent functional edible oil due to its advantage role in human nutrition as well as diseases prevention and treatment.
Thymoquionone (TQ) is the major bioactive component (18.4% to 24%) in Nigella sativa volatile oil. Many pharmacological researches reported that Nigella sativa oil and its bioactive compound, TQ possesses multiple health-beneficial activities, which include anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, hyperglycemic, anti-oxidatative and immuno-modulation activities.
