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Synonym: Bishop’s weed
Biological source: It is dried ripe fruits of Trachyspermum ammi belonging to family Umbelliferae
Geographical source: It is native of Egypt and is cultivated in Iraq, Iran, Afganistan, Pakistan and India
Macroscopic characters:
Colour: grayish brown
Odour: Aromatic
Taste: Aromatic sweet
Shape: Two mericarps, ovoid, compressed 5 ridges, 6 vittae
Size: 2 mm long and 1.7 mm wide
α-terpinene
Carvacrol
Chemical constituents:
Ajowan seed analysis has revealed it to contain
Fiber (11.9%), carbohydrates (38.6%),
Tannins, glycosides, moisture (8.9%),
protein (15.4%), fat (18.1%), saponins, flavone and mineral matter (7.1%) containing calcium, phosphorous, iron and nicotinic acid.
Ajowan fruits yield 2% to 4% brownish essential oil, with thymol as the major constituent (35% to 60%).
The nonthymol fraction (thymene) contains
para-cymene, γ-terpenine, α- and β-pinenes, dipentene, α-terpinene, and carvacrol.
The principal oil constituents of T. ammi are carvone (46%), limonene (38%), and dillapiole (9%).
Minute amounts of camphene, myrcene, a
nd α-3-carene also have been found in the plant.
Alcoholic extracts contain a highly hygroscopic saponin.
From the fruits, an yellow, crystalline flavone and a steroid-like substance has been isolated and
It also contains 6-O-β-glucopyranosyloxythymol, glucoside and yields 25% oleoresin containing 12%
Uses:
Ajowan with its characteristic aromatic smell and pungent taste is widely used as a spice in curries.
Its seeds are used in small quantities for flavoring numerous foods, as preservatives, in medicine and for the manufacture of essential oil in perfumery.
In Indian system of medicine, ajowan is administered for curing stomach disorders, a paste of crushed fruits is applied externally for relieving colic pains;
A hot and dry fomentation of the fruits is applied on chest for asthma
References:
1. Trease D. & Evans W.C.: Text Book of Pharmacognosy: W.B. Saunders.
2. Tyler V. E. Brady L. R. & Robbers J. E.: Pharmacognosy; Lea Feibger, USA.
3. Wallis T. E.; Text Book of Pharmacognosy; CBS Publishers, Delhi.
4. Kokate C. K., Purohit A. P. & Gokhale S. B.: Pharmacognosy; Nirali Publications, Pune.
5. Harbone J. B.: Phytochemical Methods: A guide to modern techniques Analysis: Chapman & Hall, London.
6. Bruneton J.: Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants: Intercept Limited.
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