Gas chromatographic coupled mass spectroscopic study of fatty acids composition of Nigella sativa L. (KALONJI) oil commercially available in Pakistan

The present study was conducted on physicochemical properties of oil extracted from Kalonji seeds (Nigella Sativa L.) and commercial oil samples available in Pakistan. The analyzed commercial oil samples were compared with the oil extracted from seeds samples for their fatty acid composition and some important physicochemical parameters. Gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometer detector (GC-MSD) was employed for the determination of fatty acid composition, while for the some physical and chemical analysis such as density, refractive index, iodine value, saponification value and unsaponifiable matter were carried out by AOCS official methods. Among the saturated fatty acids (SFA), palmitic and stearic acid were main fatty acids; the mean value of total SFA in commercial kalonji oil samples ranged at 16.22-31.65, where as among the unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) oleic and linoleic acid were major fatty acids. Mean values of UFA were ranged at 68.34-83.75. Fatty acid profiles and physicochemical parameters demonstrated that two commercial oil samples were adulterated with other source of oils. However results revealed that kalonji oil is a good source of essential fatty acid.