Ultrasound-assisted extraction of <i>Nigella sativa </i>L<i> </i>essential oil using green solvent and its encapsulation in albumin nanoparticles

The abundance of numerous bioactive compounds with a range of therapeutic benefits primarily distinguishes medicinal and aromatic plants. Nigella sativa (black cumin) is a medicinal plant species that has been well known for a variety of therapeutic uses. Health-conscious people, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry are becoming more interested in black cumin, a highly valued nutraceutical herb with numerous health advantages. The present study evaluated the impact of both traditional and advanced extraction techniques on the chemical composition and bioactive properties of essential oils extracted from Nigella sativa L.seeds. Hexane and petroleum ether were the solvents used for conventional extraction, while natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were used for ultrasonic extraction. Ultrasonic extraction addresses the drawbacks of traditional solvent extraction.The hydrophobic properties of essential oils restrict their use in therapeutic settings. The essential oil extract encapsulated in albumin nanoparticles resolves this bottleneck. The results showed that NADES extraction enabled higher yields (37.1%) than essential oils obtained after Soxhlet extraction. Further, functional groups associated with the active ingredients with therapeutic activity were identified by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Different chemical components with identified bioactivities were determined by the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry chromatograms (GC-MS). The yield (85 %) and extract trapping (89 %) in albumin nanoparticles were determined. The findings demonstrated that the average size of albumin nanoparticles grew from 72 nm to 102 nm for two distinct drug-loading procedures. The findings of the Scanning electron microscope (SEM) supported the spherical shape of the nanoparticles.The study will help Nigella extract loaded albumin nanoparticles to incorporate essential oil (EO) in food formulations and pharmaceutical preparations.