Phytochemicals of Coriander, Cumin, Fenugreek, Fennel and Black Cumin: A Preliminary Study

The qualitative analyses of the bioactive constituents of the ethanolic extracts of five commonly used Indian seed spices, namely coriander, cumin, fenugreek, fennel and black cumin, were done in the departmental laboratory of spices and plantation crops, BCKV (Agricultural University), Mohanpur, West Bengal, India. These qualitative phytochemical analyses of these extract show the presence of various phytochemicals like steroid, flavonoid, saponin, tannin, alkaloid, coumarin and anthocyanin. Alkaloid was the most abundant phytochemical present in all the seed spices. Steroids and coumarins are also present to a significant extent except in fenugreek and black cumin, respectively. All the seed spices except fenugreek contain saponin. Similarly, tannin is also contained in all except coriander. No seed spices under the present study contained anthocyanin.