GC-MS ANALYSIS OF FIXED OILS OF NIGELLA SATIVA SEEDS

Abstract

Objective: Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is an analytical method that combines the features of gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify different substances within a test sample. Applications of GC-MS include drug detection, fire investigation, environmental analysis, explosives investigation, and identification of unknown samples. Methods: The present study also relies on use of GC-MS for detection and interpretation of compounds present in N. sativa oil samples. Fixed oil was obtained through column chromatography of ethyl acetate fraction. The oil samples were subjected to GC-MS analysis which showed 5, 18, 12 and 20 compounds in four fixed oil samples respectively. Results: The major components were linoleic acid, methyl ester (35.5%), oleic acid, methyl ester (15.007%), palmitic acid, methyl ester (8.208%). Conclusion: Study concludes that in fixed oils, linoleic acid constitutes the major portion while oleic acid and palmitic acid also contributes in small quantity.