The Influence of magnesium aluminometasilicate on chemical composition of essential oil made from Myristica fragrans seeds

Abstract

Introduction: Magnesium aluminometasilicate (MAMS) is an excipient. It was used in solid drugs forms such as tablets [1]. However, in this experiment we have decided to test it by using hydrodistillation. MAMS is a white amorphous powder with high surface area, practically insoluble in water. It has the ability to absorb materials, which is characterized by liquid absorption capacity [2,3]. The aim of this work was to compare chemical composition in pure nutmeg essential oil and essential oil which was obtained using 1-2% of MAMS. Materials and methods: The dried seeds of Myristica fragrans were from Grenada (brown-beige color, had a characteristic odor, and strong, bitter, and spicy flavor). Magnesium aluminometasilicate (Neusilin® US2, Fuji Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., Toyoma, Japan) was used as an excipient. Distilled water was used throughout the experiment. Hydrodistillation was continued for 4 hours (Clevenger type apparatus). The chemical composition was analyzed by using gas chromatographymass spectrometry GCMS-QP2010 system and data library. Results: Four samples of essential oil were produced using hydrodistillation (magnesium aluminometasilicate’s concentration was: 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%). 24 chemical compounds were determined in the pure nutmeg essential oil (0% MAMS). In the other three samples, 21 chemical compounds were determined. The excipient significantly increased the quantity of α-pinene, sabinene, and limonene although it decreased the quantity of β-pinene. In pure essential oil 8.27%, 6.53%, 0%, and 26.61% of these chemical compounds were obtained. The essential oil with 1% MAMS has 15.02%, 61.42%, 4.2%, and 4.32% of these compounds` quantity. Conclusion: The magnesium aluminometasilicate has influence on chemical compounds` quantity in essential oil. MAMS increased some of the chemical compounds` quantity (sabinene, limonene, α-pinene). The highest influence was in essential oil when 1% excipient was used. The sabinene quantity