Nut Meg

Synonyms :- 

Myristica, Nux moschata

Biological Source :- 

It consists of dried kernels of seed of myristica fragrans houtt

Family :- 

Myristicaceae

Cultivation and Collection :-

• Are grown from fresh seeds
• Germinated in 5 weeks
• Transplanted at 6 months old plant
• Obtained fruit from 8-9 year
• To mature for about 20-30 year
• Fruit is like peach
• When ripe expose the seed with its lobed red arillus 2 or 3 caps are collected annual.

Macroscopic Characteristics :- 

• Colour is greenish brown or brown
• Odour is aromatic
• Taste is pungent and aromatic
• Size is 20 to 30 mm in length and 20 mm
• Shape is Ellipsodial

Chemical Constitution :- 

• It contain 5 to 16 of volatile oil and 30 percentage fat.
• Volatile oil contain 4 to 8 % myristicin, elimicin and saffrole.
• Fatty acid consists of fixed oil are myristic (60%), oleoic acid, lauric acid and other acids.

Uses of nutmeg :- 

• Stimulant
• Aromatic
• Carminative
• Flavouring agent
• Used in soap industry

Adulterants :- 

• Myristica malbarica
• Myristica argentea
• Myristica beddomei
• Myristica attenuata

MCQ 

1. Which of the following herb is use in soap industry ?

A. Ginseng

B. Dioscorea

C. Nutmeg

D. Fennel

2. Which of the following is major Constituents of nutmeg ?

A. Palmitic acid

B. Oleoic acid

C. Lauric acid

D. Myristicin

3. Which of the following sentences is false about nutmeg ?

A. It contain 5 to 16 percentage of volatile oil.

B. It is germinated in 7 week

C. It is belong to family myristicaceae.

D. It consists of dried kernels of seed of myristica fragrans houtt.

4. What is the length of nutmeg ?

A. 20 to 30 mm

B. 30 to 40 mm

C. 50 to 60mm

D. 10 to 20mm

5. Which of the following is not a source of adulteration of nutmeg ?

A.Myristica malbarica

B.Myristica attenuata

C. Myristica

D.Myristica beddomei

6. Which of the following is true sentence about nutmeg?

A. Nutmeg has 30-50 volatile oil.

B. Nutmeg has oval shape.

C. Nutmeg has sweet taste.

D. Nutmeg has shape Ellipsodial.

7.  Which of the following is not a use of nutmeg ?

A. Aromatic

B. Flavouring agent

C. Stimulant

D. Diabetes

8. Which of the following is synonymous of nutmeg ?

A. Nux vomica

B. Mango

C. Malabar

D. Nux moschata

9. Which of the following is correct sequence of the cultivation and Collection of Nutmeg ?

a.Transplanted at 6 months old plant

b.To mature for about 20-30 year

c.Germinated in 5 weeks

d.When ripe expose the seed with its lobed red arillus 2 or 3 caps are collected annual.

A. C⇒b⇒a⇒d

B. b⇒a⇒c⇒d

C. d⇒c⇒a⇒b

D. b⇒a⇒c⇒d

10. Match the following

i. Fat                          A 5

ii. Volatile oil           B 30

iii. Myristic              C 4-8%

iv. Germinated        D 60%

A.i →A ii→ C iii →D iv→ B

B.i →B ii→ C iii →D iv→ A

C. i →B ii→ C iii →D iv→ A

D.i →D ii→ C iii →B iv→ A

Answer key

1. C

2. D

3. B

4. A

5. C

6. D

7. D

8. D

9. A

10. C

Reference :- 

16 Edition trease and Evans Pharmacognosy (pg.no.281 and 282)

MYRISTICA FRAGRANS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

https://innovareacademics.in/journals/index.php/ijpps/article/view/8552

This information is taken only for education purpose.