Essential oil of Nigella damascena L. (Ranunculaceae) seeds

The chemical composition of the essential oil of Nigella damascena L. seeds, collected from fruiting plants in their natural habitat, was examined in comparison with commercial seeds. Twenty-eight compounds were identified in wild seeds by GC/MS: 10 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (93.8%), two alkaloids (0.3%) and three monoterpenes in trace amounts. Twenty-six compounds were identified in commercial seeds by GC/MS: 15 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (90.4%), two alkaloids (3.3%) and nine monoterpenes in trace amounts. The alkaloids were damascenine and methyl 2-amino-3-methoxy benzoate, the latter being detected for the first time in this specie