Ultrasound assisted extraction of oil from black cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

Abstract

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seed, also known as black seed, is an annual herb belongs to Ranunculaceae family. Black seed contains an ample amount of oil which can be extracted using various techniques and can be used in food and medicinal applications. In the present study, black cumin seed oil was acquired by ultrasound assisted extraction. The effects of different levels of ultrasonication power, extraction time, and solvent to solid ratio on the recovery of black seed oil were investigated. Black seed oil was extracted with different combinations of ultrasound power (150, 200, 250 W), treatment time (15, 30, 45 min) and solvent: solid ratio (10, 15, 20 ml/g). Box Behnken design of Response Surface Methodology was used to optimized the process parameters. As per the results, the highest oil recovery of 94.8% from black seed was attained at the ultrasound power of 200 W, ultrasound treatment time of 45 minutes and solvent to solid ratio of 1:20. Ultrasound assisted extraction enhanced the black seed oil recovery and reduced the extraction time as well.