Caraway, also known as meridian fennel and Persian cumin is a biennial plant in the family Apiaceae. In the wild, it grows across Eurasia from the north to the subtropics. It is grown as a medicinal plant and as a spice. In Russia it can often be found as a wild plant.
Essential oil obtained from its fruits and CO2 extract are used as medicinal raw materials. In home medicine, the CO2 extract from caraway seeds and its essential oil is recommended as an antiseptic and antihelminthic agent. Cumin essential oil is used in official European pharmacies to improve the functioning of the gallbladder and liver, as well as the functioning of digestion. As an antispasmodic for the smooth intestinal muscles. In folk medicine, the fruits of caraway and essential oil are used for flatulence, gallstone disease, as a sedative and cardiovascular agent and to promote lactation.
Caraway infusions, extracts from its green, and especially seeds, have long been widely used in cuisine, especially in the cuisine of the Slavic peoples. Fresh herbs, fruits, caraway extracts are used to flavor salads, cottage cheese, vegetable and animal oils. The CO2 extract from caraway seeds is an excellent addition to fatty lamb and pork dishes, seafood dishes, and canned fish and vegetables. This extract is recommended for pickling cucumbers, tomatoes and cabbage. CO2 extract has proven itself as a spicy, aromatic additive in baked goods and confectionery. Caraway is a classic flavoring found in kvass, beer, a range of vodkas, and bitters. It is part of the “Borodinsky” and “With Dill” mixes.
The CO2 extract from caraway seeds, when added to food, promotes intensive decomposition and removal of fats and their breakdown products from the body. Thus, this extract contributes to the normalization of the fat-carbohydrate metabolism and to weight loss.
CO2 extract from caraway “Biozevtika” is a flowing oily liquid of yellow color with a pleasant, pronounced, characteristic odor. In the course of gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric investigations, several hundred compounds were analyzed in the CO2 extract of caraway, of which more than 50 were identified.
Chart 1.The main components of the CO2 extract of caraway seeds
| NAME | CONTENT IN% OF THE AMOUNT OF VOLATILE COMPONENTS | EFFECT |
|---|---|---|
| Palmitic acid | 15 | Unsaturated fatty acid for water repellency in cosmetics |
| α- and β-linolenic acid | 1,4 | Unsaturated, essential fatty acids from the class of omega-3 fatty acids. It has a membrane protecting, angioprotective effect. Immunomodulatory, improves brain metabolism |
| β-carotene | 0,8 | Provitamin A, a powerful antioxidant especially in combination with unsaturated fatty acids |
| Linoleic acid | 0,7 | An essential unsaturated fatty acid of the omega-6 class. It has anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictor, and aggregating effects. If there is no balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, competitive processes can arise that influence the metabolism |
| Carvon | 0,5 | Stimulates the central nervous system, has anthelmintic properties |
| Carvokrol | 0,4 | Shows antifungal and bactericidal properties |
| Limonen | 0,4 | Effective against fungi, mold and bacteria. Perfume scent. Effective repellant. Not recommended in cosmetic preparations for sensitive and allergy-prone skin |
| Quercetin | 0,2 | Belongs to the group of vitamins F, has antioxidant, spasmolytic, antidiuretic, antitumoral, antiallergic effects |
| Kaempferol | 0,2 | Toning, capillary strengthening, anti-inflammatory |
| Glycerides of petroselinic acid | 0,1 | Improves the digestive process, increases the motor and secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract, suppresses fermentation processes. It has a toning and detoxifying effect. accelerates hydrolysis processes in liver cells |
In cosmetics, the CO2 extract from caraway can be recommended as:
- As an active antioxidant and as an additive to firm mature skin
- an additive to even out skin tone and improve skin elasticity and moisture
- an additive to fight wrinkles and age spots
The presence of β-carotene (provitamin A), vitamin E and a complex of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (vitamin F complex) in the CO2 extract of caraway provides:
- hypoallergenic effect
- stimulates and participates in collagen synthesis
- Restoration of the barrier functions of the epidermis and stratum corneum
Chart 2. Application rates, recommendations for the use and storage of CO2 extract from caraway seeds
| Food usage rates | Item А100: 0.003% (30g per ton) Water-soluble microemulsions EMA1: 0.3% (3l per 1000l or 3ml per liter) |
| Application rates in cosmetics | Item А10: 1-3% Item А100: 0.1-0.3% |
| Recommendations for use | It is recommended to add CO2 extracts in the final stages of preparation, in the cooling phase of the end product. |
| Storage Instructions | It is recommended to store CO2 extracts in a closed container in a cool room and avoid direct sunlight. |
| Use in dietary supplements | Application in cooking | Application in cosmetics |
| It has a tonic effect, improves appetite, normalizes digestion, promotes the accelerated removal of toxins and excess fluid, promotes the resorption of neoplasms (not all), has an antiseptic effect, gently relieves pain and blocks the inflammatory process, affects the intestines as a mild one Laxative, increases the body’s immune defenses. Cumin is used to treat bronchitis and increase blood vessel elasticity. It helps with obesity. CO2 extract has an antifungal and antimicrobial effect, has an antispasmodic and calming effect. | Cumin has a fine nutty aroma, bitter-sour, spicy taste. As a spice, it is used in recipes for pilaf, cold appetizers, marinades for canning and pickling vegetables. It is widely used in recipes for various tomato and spicy sauces and is an essential ingredient in national Indian spice mixes – garam masala and curry. It is used to flavor salads, beverages, baked goods, and fermented milk products. | In cosmetics, it is used to a limited extent due to its strong aroma. Can be used for cooking, skin cleansing milk, anti-inflammatory and anti-rash cream, in anti-cellulite creams and oils, in tonics for the face and body skin, in whitening creams to remove freckles and age spots, as part of conditioners and masks for combating hair of dandruff and to strengthen the hair, in deodorants. |