Fatty Acid Profiling and Thymoquinone Quantification of Cold-Pressed Oils from Turkish- and Syrian-Originated Nigella sativa Seeds

Nigella sativa L. (black cumin) is an annual herb of the Ranunculaceae family, traditionally used in Middle Eastern and Asian medicine for the management of various health conditions. Its seeds and oils are rich in bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, essential fatty acids, nigellone, saponins, and thymoquinone (TQ), which contribute to diverse pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. In the present study, oils obtained from Turkish and Syrian N. sativa seeds through cold pressing were investigated. Phytochemical composition was characterized using Gas Chromatography (GC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), with particular focus on fatty acid profiles and TQ content. Additionally, tyrosinase inhibitory activities of the fixed oils and TQ were evaluated. It was noted that variations in the composition of seed samples originating from different countries influence the phytochemical features of the plant materials. Accordingly, maintaining genetic diversity and implementing appropriate cultivation strategies are essential for the sustainability of agricultural production.