Nutmeg in Jamaica
In the West Indies, Grenada is perhaps better known for
this spice than Jamaica, however, the tree is grown here and
there have been some recent studies on its chemistry done in the
Department.
The seed from the tree (Myristica fragrans) is called
nutmeg and the yellow to red aril covering the seed is called
mace.
McCormicks consumer guide
has a few more details.
The annual production of nutmeg oil is around 300 tonnes and the
major producers are Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The major market is
the USA (75%). Some European oil is distilled from Grenadian
nutmegs and in general the yield on steam distillation is about
11% oil.
A plot from a GC/MS of the volatile oil from the seed is given
below and the numbered peaks are identified as:
- (2902) α-pinene
MOL or MS
- sabinene
PDB or MS
- (2903) β-pinene
PDB or MS
- myrcene
PDB or MS
- (2633) limonene
MOL or MS
- α-terpinene
PDB
- (2248) terpinen-4-ol
PDB or MS
among the major ingredients. The numbers in brackets are the FEMA
codes (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association of the USA).
An interactive display
using JSmol is available as well.
A recent study on nutmeg oil from St Catherine, Jamaica and other
West Indian nutmeg oils revealed significant differences that
could be used to distinguish between them.
Weight percent (w/w%) composition of nutmeg oils
by country
| Compound |
Grenada |
Indonesia |
Jamaica |
| α-pinene |
13.2 |
26.5 |
19.9 |
| β-pinene |
8.0 |
15.0 |
18.8 |
| myrcene |
3.4 |
3.7 |
4.7 |
| α-phellandrene |
0.7 |
0.9 |
1.6 |
| α-terpinene |
4.2 |
2.0 |
2.1 |
| limonene |
4.4 |
3.6 |
4.8 |
| p-cymene |
0.8 |
0.6 |
<0.1 |
| linalool |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
| terpinen-4-ol |
4.7 |
3.0 |
17.8 |
| α-terpineol |
0.3 |
0.6 |
0.4 |
Notes
The
myristicin component is insecticidal and is thought to
contribute to the hallucenogenic properties of the extracts. It
is normally lower in oil distilled from West Indian nutmegs and
the recent study found only trace amounts in Jamaican nutmeg oil.
Antibacterial
eugenol and lignan-types of constituents of the nuts are
anti-carcinogenic.
Safrole is suspected of being toxic (carcinogenic)?
Most of the production of nutmeg oil is for use in cola flavours
with smaller amounts used in meat seasonings and bakery products.
Monodora myristica is known by several names such as;
calabash nutmeg, American nutmeg, Jamaica nutmeg and African orchid nutmeg.
This is not listed in Adams, so perhaps not very common here?
References:
"Food Flavourings", Edited by P.R. Ashurst, Blackie Academic
and Professional, an imprint of Chapman and Hall, Wester
Cleddens Road, Bishopbriggs, Glascow, G64 2NZ, UK. 2nd edit.
1995.
"Comparison of the Chemical Composition of East Indian, Jamaican
and other West Indian Essential Oils of Myrista fragrans
Houtt". G.I.C. Simpson and Y.A. Jackson, J. of Essential Oil Research,
2002, 14, 6-9.
"Natural Products in Caribbean Folk Medicine", C.E. Seaforth,
UWI Press, revised 1991.
"Flowering Plants of Jamaica", C.D. Adams, Robert MacLehose and
Company Limited, The University Press, Glasgow, 1972.
Return to links to the chemistry of other
Jamaican items, including spices and fruit and vegetables.
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Copyright © 1995-2014 by Robert John Lancashire, all rights
reserved.
Created and maintained by Prof. Robert J.
Lancashire,
The Department of Chemistry, University of the West Indies,
Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
Created Feb 1995. Links checked and/or last
modified 8th August 2014.
URL
http://wwwchem.uwimona.edu.jm/lectures/nutmeg.html
