Bioactive Phytochemicals from Nigella sativa Oil Processing By-products

Nigella sativa (black cumin) is an annual flowering plant grown in the Middle East, Asia, and Mediterranean regions. Black cumin seeds are well known in history with their therapeutic effects in various cultures and also are used for culinary applications. Oil extraction is possible with different methods, but nowadays, the cold press method is gaining importance with the modern customers’ healthy product preferences and its by-products rich in bioactive phytochemicals. The main compounds of seedcakes are carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, fibers, flavonoids, phenolics, and vitamins. Even though the seedcakes are used only as fodder for animals, recent studies have shown the seedcakes’ potential as a value-added raw material or additives for functional food, supplements, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceuticals with their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and nutritional effects. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG