Cardamom Biological Sources, Morphological Features, Chemical Constituents, and Uses + MCQ (10)
Cardamom
Synonyms:-
Small cardamom, Elachi, Ailum
Biological Source:-
It consists of dried ripe fruits of Eletaria cardamomum.
Family: Zingiberaceae.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71OFZ3vXuxL._SX679_.jpg
Macroscopic characteristics:-
Condition: Dry
Type: Trilocular capsule
Size: Varies from 1 to 2cm.
Shape: Ovoid or oblong, apex slightly pointed and beak like. Base rounded and shows the remains of a stalk.
Surface: Smooth or with thin longitudinal striations.
Colour: Pale buff to pale greenish buff.
Powder Characters:-
1. Epidermal cells: Cells of the epidermis of testa are associated with a layer of oil
cells. Epidermal cells are colourless to light yellow, straight walled and running
almost parallel to each other.
2. Sclerenchyma: Fragments of red to orange coloured sclerenchyma of the testa, individual cells of which are cylindrical and elongated in side view and polygonal in surface view containing a nodule of silica.
3. Perisperm: Perisperm of thin walled cells, granular and contains starch. Calcium oxalate crystals are also seen.
Microscopic characteristics:-
First layer of seed is known as arrilus, and is followed by two layers of testa.
Chemical constituents:-
Cineole (volatile oil), Terpinol, Borneol
Chemical Test :-
- Violet oil + sudan III → Red colour
Uses :-
- Flavouring agent
- Stimulant and carminative
- Inflammation of eyelids
- Digestive Disorders
- Breath Freshener
Substitutes and adulterants:-
1. Long wild native cardamom: Big cardamom
2. Korarima cardamom: Absence of rugae
3. Orange seeds
4. Unroasted coffee grains
MCQ
1. Synonyms of cardamom
A. Feukel
B. Caraway
C. Caryo phyllum
D. Ailum
2. Biological Source of cardamom
A.It consists of Flower of Eletaria cardamomum.
B.It consists of dried flower buds Eletaria cardamomum.
C.It consists of dried ripe fruits of Eletaria cardamomum.
D.It consists of fresh leaves of Eletaria cardamomum.
3. Which of the following is not adulterant of cardamom.
A. Orange seeds
B. Unroasted coffee grains
C. Big cardamom
D. Elachi
4. Which of the following is not use of cardamom?
A. Inflammation in eyelids
B. Flavouring agent
C. Digestive Disorders
D. Anti diabetic
5. Cardamom Belong to family
A. Zingiberaceae
B. Liliaceae
C. Myrtaceae
D. Umbelliferae
6. Which of the following is false sentence about cardamom ?
A.First layer of seed is known as arrilus
B. Cells of the epidermis of testa are associated with a layer of oil
cells.
C.Perisperm of thin walled cells, granular and contains starch. Calcium oxalate crystals
D. Cardamom give orange colour with sudan III.
7. Which of the following is not characteristics of cardamom Powder ?
A. Fragments of red to orange coloured sclerenchyma.
B. Perisperm has thick wall.
C. Epidermal cells are colourless to light yellow, straight walled and running
almost parallel to each other.
D.Perisperm of thin walled cells, granular and contains starch.
8. Which of the following is adulterant of cardamom ?
A. Feukel
B. Fructus carvi
C. Big cardamom
D. Caryophyllum
9. Which of the following is major chemical constituents of cardamom ?
A. Cineole
B. Terpinol
C. Borneol
D. All of the above
10. Violet oil + sudan III →
A. Red colour
B. Blue Colour
C. Green colour
D. Yellow colour
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Answer Key
1. D
2. C
3. D
4. D
5. A
6. D
7. B
8. C
9. A
10. A
Reference :-
16 Edition of Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy Text Book ( Pg. No. :-293 )
Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of cardamom [Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton] – A critical review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874119308918
This information is taken only for education purpose.