PG Thesis

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Nutmeg

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    Microwave hydro-distillation and ultrasound assisted extraction of bioactive components from nutmeg pericarp
    (Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Food Technology, Tavanur, 2025-01-20) Noorbia Razak; Prince, M V
    Myristica fragrans Houtt. produces two economically important spices, but its fleshy outer pericarp is often discarded, leading to environmental pollution, despite its potential as a rich source of bioactive compounds. These compounds contribute to the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and many therapeutic properties. Diversifying pericarp by extracting its compounds as essential oil and oleoresin could enhance its economic value. Conventional extraction methods result in lower extraction efficiency and quality. To circumvent these issues, eco-innovative technologies such as Microwave Assisted Hydro-distillation (MAHD) for volatile essential oil and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE) for non-volatile oleoresin which offers sustainable results were exploited in this study to efficiently extract the phytochemicals in pericarp and to optimise the process parameters thus increasing its utilisation potential. For MAHD process, Box-Behnken design was framed with the selected process variables of solid to water ratio (1:4 to 1:8 g/ml), exposure time (1 to 2 h) and microwave power (320 to 640 W) and the responses were essential oil yield, specific gravity, and energy consumption. For extracting the oleoresin from the MAHD extracted samples UAE was employed, for which a Central Composite experimental design was framed. The process variables such as solid to solvent ratio (1:4 to 1:6 g/ml), sonication time (10 to 30 min) and types of solvent (ethanol and ethyl acetate) were selected for optimising the response variables of oleoresin yield, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The optimised conditions for essential oil yield were determined as 1:8 g/ml, 1.5 h with 320 W power for obtaining a maximum yield of 0.4% with minimum energy consumption of 0.6 kWh and a specific gravity of 0.917. Maximum oleoresin yield, TPC and TFC of 5.524%, 66.449 mg GAE/g and 4.284 mg QE/g respectively were observed for the process variables of 1:5.42 g/ml, 30 min in ethanol as the optimized condition for oleoresin. The optimised extracts exhibited improved physicochemical and microstructural properties compared to conventional extraction process. These findings suggests that the extraction of bioactive compounds from nutmeg pericarp employing MAHD and UAE holds a significant economic potential with high extraction efficiency and quality.
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    Identification and characterisation of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) genotypes of southern Kerala
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture , Vellayani, 2021-11-21) Nainu Joseph.; Sreekala, G S
    The research work on “Identification and characterisation of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) genotypes of Southern Kerala” was undertaken during 2020-21 at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. A survey was conducted in the nutmeg growing belts of Agro-Ecological Unit (AEU) 4 of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, AEU 8 of Thiruvanathapuram district, AEU 9 of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvanathapuram districts, AEU 12 of Kottayam and Kollam districts and AEU 14 of Pathanamthitta district for identification of nutmeg genotypes with superior yield and variability. Among the fifty nutmeg genotypes surveyed twenty one genotypes were selected for characterization and in situ evaluation. The twenty one selected nutmeg genotypes from homesteads and estates were denoted as KDR 1, MNA 2, MNA 3, MNA 4, MPY 5, MPY 6, MPY 7, MPY 8, NLD 9, NLD 10, PND 11, PND 12, PKM 13, PLA 14, PLA 15, PLA 16, PLA 17, PRA 18, VNI 19, VNI 20 and VNI 21 based on the location of study. Qualitative and quantitative characterization of twenty one genotypes was undertaken for tree, leaf, flower, fruit and seed characters. Based on the DUS guidelines provided by PPV & FRA (2015) and minimal descriptor developed (Vikram, 2016) on nutmeg, thirty six qualitative characters were observed in the study in which height of tree, sex form, presence of caruncle and fruit length were non variable characters. The thirty two variable qualitative characters were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis. UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetical Averages) dendrogram was generated from the qualitative characters and fourteen clusters were formed at 65 percent similarity. Based on the clusters formed in the dendrogram, genotypes namely, MNA 3, NLD 9, NLD 10, PRA 18 and PLA 16 were closely related (cluster II), MPY 5 and PKM 13 (cluster III), PKD 11 and PLA 15 (cluster IV) and PLA 17 and VNI 20 (cluster VI). KDR 1 with yellow mace formed a separate cluster (Cluster I). The monoecious genotype VNI 21 was distinctly different from other clusters. Thirty two quantitative characters including biochemical characters were observed in the selected genotypes. Under the multivariate analysis for quantitative characters, principal component analysis was used as a statistical tool to interpret the parameters. The thirty two quantitative characters were reduced to eight principal component groups contributing a total variance of 84.518%. Based on the loadings in principal components 1 and 2, score plot and biplot was generated. The score plot grouped genotypes into 15 clusters in which genotypes with superior yield namely, PKD 11, PLA 14, NLD 9, PKM 13 and PRA 18 formed unique clusters. The pooled mean of yield characters revealed that five genotypes namely PKD 11, PLA 14, NLD 9, PKM 13 and PRA 18 were superior in yield. Significantly superior number of fruits per tree, fresh and dry mace yield and fresh nut yield per tree was observed in PKD 11 which was followed by PLA 14 with high yield in terms of number of fruits per tree, mace, nut and kernel yield. Significantly superior dry nut and kernel yield was obtained in NLD 9. PKM 13 and PRA 18 also recorded significantly high number of fruits per tree, dry mace, dry nut and dry kernel yield as compared to other genotypes. Thirty six qualitative characters were reduced to a minimal descriptor of eight characters namely, crown shape, shape of leaf blade, number of flowers per cluster, nature of fruit bearing, colour of mace (fresh), mace covering pattern, attachment of mace to nut and seed colour. Thirty two quantitative characters was reduced to a minimal data set of five characters such as number of flowers per cluster, height of tree, fruit weight, single kernel weight (dry) and fruit set percentage. Those genotypes with best combinations of these qualitative and quantitative characters can be selected for yield in nutmeg. Thus based on the identification, characterization and in situ evaluation for two years, PKD 11, PLA 14, NLD 9, PKM 13 and PRA 18 with superior yield and yellow maced genotype KDR 1 were selected for future crop improvement studies in nutmeg.
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    Weather extremes preparedness of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) farmers in Kerala
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research ,Vellanikkara, 2021) Adharsh, C J; Ajith Kumar, B
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    Host range studies and management of anthracnose of nutmeg caused by colletotrichum spp.
    (Department of Plant pathology Vellayani, 2020) Bommana Divya; Heera, G
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    Development and optimization of microwave assisted process for extraction of nutmeg mace essential oil
    (Department of Food and Agricultural Process Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2016) Nukasani Sagarika; Prince, M V
    Essential oils which are the volatile components distilled from the aromatic plant materials, have gained importance in cosmetic, therapeutic, aromatic, fragrant and spiritual uses. But the conventional methods of distillation carry the disadvantages mainly concerned with the quality of final product such as loss of some volatile notes, low extraction efficiency and degradation of unsaturated ester compounds through thermal or hydrolytic effects. These processes also requires high extraction times and energy consumption. However, in order to reduce these difficulties microwave energy could be effectively used to mediate extraction of essential oil in place of steam or water heating in order to introduce its inherent advantages. As in the case of microwave heating of food materials, the internal heating of the in-situ water within the plant material by the microwaves leads to the rupture of the glands and oleferous receptacles freeing the essential oil which is then evaporated by the in-situ water of the plant material. The water then evaporated could then be passed through a condenser outside the microwave cavity where it is condensed. This study envisages development of a microwave assisted extraction system for extracting nutmeg mace essential oil. The developed extraction system consists of a microwave cavity, extraction unit, supporting stand and energy meter. In order to evaluate the developed system towards extraction of nutmeg mace essential oil, the process parameters like solid: water ratios of 1:14. 1:10 and 1:6, power densities of 9.6, 14.4 and 19.2 W/g and soaking times of 2, 3 and 4 h which would influence the essential oil yield, extraction time and energy consumption were chosen as independent variables. The physical quality characteristics like refractive index, specific gravity, solubility and colour of essential oil were selected as dependent variables. The optimized conditions of solid: water ratio, power density and soaking time for extracting nutmeg mace essential oil in microwave assisted process was found to be 1: 14, 14.4 W/g and 4 h respectively. Therefore, microwave assisted extraction could be considered as an extraction technique that results in the production of high quality oil in higher quantity in less time with minimum energy consumption.
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    Collection and characterization of unique genotypes of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.)
    (Department of Plantation and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Priyanka Chandran, S; Mini Raj, N
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    Quality characters of clove and nutmeg at different stages of maturity
    (Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture,vellayani, 1990) Manoj, A M; Vasanthakumar, K
    The present investigation was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1988 – 89. The objectives of this study were to characterise the growth pattern of clove flower buds and nutmeg fruits and to develop suitable harvest indices for these crops based on quality characteristics at different stages of maturity. The moisture content in clove buds and rind of nutmeg fruits increased with increase in maturity. However, moisture percentage in nutmeg kernel and mace was found to decrease as maturity advanced. The non – volatile ether extract (NVEE), on dry weight basis, was found to decrease on maturity advanced in clove buds and in mace while in nutmeg kernel the NVEE showed an increasing trend. The volatile oil in clove, nutmeg and mace was more at the immature stages and it progressively decreased at the peak harvesting stages. Eugenol, the chief component in clove oil was the maximum at the flowering stage. Hence for extraction of clove oil which is intended for use in medicine, dentistry and other pharmaceutical uses, it is advisable to harvest clove buds at the anthesis stage. The aromatic ethers which are the chief components that determine the flavour and drug action in nutmeg oil was the maximum one month prior to the fruit splitting stage. In mace oil it was found to be high two months prior to fruit splitting stage. So if nutmeg and mace oils are intended for medicinal purpose, then it may be worthwhile to harvest nutmeg fruits at the 6th month for extracting kernel oil and at the 5th month for extracting mace oil. Considering the fact that the nutmeg fruit yield both nutmeg and mace oil, harvesting separately at different maturity stages for extraction of the different oils is practically difficult. The aromatic phenol and phenol ethers showed a very low value in mace oil one month prior to fruit splitting. So in practice the fruit may be harvested two months prior to fruit splitting for extraction of both nutmeg and mace oils. However the high moisture content at this stage makes drying a problem. So such a practice of early harvesting of nutmeg fruits may be resorted to in places where facilities are available for extraction of oil from the fresh kernel and mace immediately after harvesting.
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    Induction of orthotrops in vegetatively propagated nutmeg (myristica fragrans houtt.) plants.
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Rani, T G; Nazeem, P A
    Investigations were made to induce orthotrops in vegetatively propagated nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) plants at the Department of plantation Crops and Spices, college of Horticulture , vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1993-94. Budding orthotropic scions on there year old nutmeg plants alone showed bud take. In situ budding on three year old field plants gave the maximum bud take and bud sprouting . Among the different methods tried , maximum initial success was obtained with patch method in M. fragrans and forkert method in M. beddomei. The month of August was found to be the best season for in situ budding and July for budding in polybag plants. Partial shade was found ideal for better bud take than the mist . chamber conditions in nutmeg. Stumping the root stock above the bud union retaining the whorl of lower leaves gave better sprouting and later survival. The anatomical studies of bud union revealed the sequence of bud union as the callus formation stages , callus bridge stage and cambial differentiation stage. Absence of callusing , damage to cambial layers of stock or scion, thick necrotic layer and a wide gap between stock and scion and phenolic exudation were attributed to the probable reasons for bud failure . On mature branches of nutmeg trees, maximum number of orthotrops were induced when an orthotrop was cut close to the tree trunk leaving 30 cm stump. Staking the immature brown shoots of one to two years age and young green shoots of less than six months of nutmeg grafts acquired a reduced angle with the vertical even one month after removal of stake. Among the physical and chemical treatments tried to induce orthotrops in nutmeg grafts of plagiotropic nature, the treatments stumping and application of 5 ppm kinetin was found superior with respect to the number of shoots produced per plant. However , none of the shoots were found to have orthotropic growth pattern. Anatomy of orthotropic and staked stems revealed the production of more wood towards the adaxial side than towards the adaxial side. Plagiotropic stem have more or less proportionate wood formation on both sides.
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    In vitro shoot regeneration and micrografting in nutmeg (Myristice fragrans houtt.)
    (Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2008) Liffey Zachariah Antony; Valsala, P A
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    Studies on growth ,flowering ,fruit set and fruit development in nutmeg (Myristica fragrans hout.)
    (Department of Plantations Crops, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Nazeem, P A; Sivaraman Nair, P C
    The present investigations were carried out in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during the year 1978-’79. The object was to study the pattern of growth and flowering, floral biology, fruit set, fruit drop and fruit development in nutmeg. The studies were conducted on male and female trees of about 17 years old receiving cultural practices as recommended by Kerala Agricultural University. Shoot growth in nutmeg was found to be cyclic, a period of growth followed by a quiescence. Six flushes were observed during the period of one year. All the flushes were not seen in all the shoots which resulted in continuous growth in nutmeg. The mean growth varied significantly from month to month, with minimum in summer months. Two peaks were observed in May, June and September. Nutmeg trees were found to be slow growers when compared to other prerennial trees. Flowering pattern of male and female trees differed. There was monthly variation in the extent of flowering of both male and female trees. In females, flowering was constrained to seven months whereas in male, flowering was observed through out the year. Maximum flowering in both the cases was in July followed by October. The flower bud development in male and female trees followed specific pattern. The male flowers took only about half the period taken by the female flowers to develop. The female flowers took 154 days for complete development. Three types of flowers were observed in nutmeg which resembled and differed each other for different characters. In male flowers, peak anthesis was between 1900 hours and 0100 hour and in females, it was between 2100 hours and 0300 hours. Anther dehiscence occurred about 24 hours prior to anthesis. The stigmatic receptivity lasted for six days after anthesis with the maximum for the first three days. The chief agent of pollination was wind. Anther number and pollen production per flower varied from tree to tree. Sucrose at concentrations of 2, 4, 6 and 8 per cent, boric acid and calcium nitrate at concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm each were found to promote pollen germination. A combination of the three (4% sucrose, 25 ppm calcium nitrats and 75 ppm boric acid) gave maximum germination (96.9%). Pollen was found to be viable for three days in the dehisced bud condition and the viability was greatly reduced thereafter. The percentage set varied for different trees and for different aspects with maximum set on Western and eastern aspects. Hand pollination increased the percentage set than open pollination, indicating the possibilities of assisted pollination for better production. There was no apomictic fruit development. The mean percentage drop after set was 74.4 per cent. The number of fruits harvested accounted to only 8.47 per cent of the total flowers produced. The period of maximum drop after set coincided with the period of maximum development of the fruit. The fruits attained maturity in 206 to 237 days after fruit set. The developing fruits followed a sigmoid growth pattern. The peak harvest season ranged between April and July. The trees varied for the percentage drop and number of fruits harvested.