Phytochemical Profiling of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) Seeds: A Qualitative Screening Approach
DOI:
10.29303/jbt.v26i2.12196Published:
2026-06-12Downloads
Abstract
Nutmeg is a warm, aromatic spice derived from the seed of the Myristica fragrans evergreen tree, native to Indonesia's Banda Islands. It features a rich, slightly sweet flavor with hints of clove and pepper, commonly used in both baked goods and savory dishes. This study aims to profile secondary metabolites of ethanolic extracts of nutmeg seeds. Dried seeds of the nutmeg were extracted using 96% ethanol, and the resulting extract was subjected to standard phytochemical screening tests to identify major secondary metabolites. The results revealed a strong presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, indicating that these compounds are dominant constituents in the ethanolic extract. In addition, tannins and phenolic compounds were detected in smaller amounts. Conversely, saponins and steroids were undetectable in the extract. These findings indicate that ethanol is an effective solvent for extracting alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids from the seeds of the nutmeg, while its efficiency for terpenoids and saponins may be limited. The presence of these secondary metabolites supports the potential biological activity of the seeds of the nutmeg and provides a scientific basis for their further pharmacological and biological activity studies.
Keywords:
Ethanolic extract Nutmeg Qualitative phytochemicalReferences
Abdullah, S.S., Putra, P.P., Antasionasti, I., Rundengan, G., Suoth, E.J., Abdullah, R.P.I., & Abdullah, F. 2021. Analisis sifat fisikokimia, farmakokinetik toksikologi pada dan pericarpium pala (Myristica fragransa) secara artificial intelligence. Chemistry Progress, 14(2), 81-92. https://doi.org/10.35799/ cp. 14.2.2021.37112
Agustin, V., & Gunawan, S. (2019). Uji fitokimia dan aktivitas antioksidan ekstrak mentimun (Cucumis sativus). Tarumanagara medical journal, 1(3), 662-667.https://doi.org/10.24912/tmj.v2i1.5844
Anggoro, N., 2019. Mengenal Pala. Mengenal tanaman pala. Pusat Penyuluhan Pertanian Kementrian RI Pertanian. http://cybex.pertanian.go.id/artikel/8 7545/mengenal-tanaman-pala/
Azhari , S., Kurniaty , R., Yusuf, M., Zulyani , R., Mahmudi , M., Rani, W. M., & Farida , M. (2024). Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of nutmeg flesh (Myristica fragrans) from southern Aceh Province, Indonesia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Sciences, 7(4), 537–543. https://doi.org/10.36490/journal-jps.com.v7i4.421
Bahri, S., Wirdullutfi., Hijriani, B.I. (2025), Qualitative Phytochemical Screening of Ethanolic Extract of Ocimum basilicum L. Leaves. Jurnal Biologi Tropis, 25 (4a): 782 – 785. http://doi.org/10.29303/jbt.v25i4a.11142
Cowan, M.M. (1999). Plant Products as Antimicrobial Agents. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 12(4), 564–582. https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.12.4.564
Erza, R.K., Karmanah, Nurlaela (2022). Secondary Metabolites And Potential Antioxidants Ofnutmeg (Myristica fragransHoutt) Mace From West Java, Jurnal Sains Natural, 12: 65–72. https://doi.org/10.31938/jsn.v%2012i2.380
Ginting, B., Marpaung, L., Barus, T. (2016). Isolation and Identification of Flavonoid Compound from Nutmeg Leaves (Myristica fragrans Houtt). Asian Journal of Chemistry, an International Peer Reviewed Research Journal of Chemistry, 28 (1): 199-202 https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2016.19342
Guenther, E. (1987). The Essential Oils. NewYork: D. Van Nostrand Company.
Harborne, J.B. (1998). Phytochemical Methods: A Guide to Modern Techniques of Plant Analysis. London: Chapman and Hall.
Kuete, V. (2017). Medicinal Spice and Vegetables from Africa: Therapeutic Potential against Metabolic, Inflammatory, Infectious and Systemic Diseases, 497-512, Academic Press, Elsevier
Kumar S, Pandey AK. Chemistry and biological activities of flavonoids: an overview. Scientific World Journal. 2013; 2013:162750. DOI:10.1155/2013/162750
Makanaung, E., Rorong, J.A., Suryanto, E (2021). Analisis Fitokimia Dan Uji Efek Sedatif Dari Ekstrak Etanol Dan Beberapa Fraksi Daging Buah Pala (Myristica Fragrans Houtt) Chem. Prog, 14(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.35799/cp.14.1.2021.34075
Poli ´nski, S., Topka, P., Ta’nska, M., Kowalska, S., Czaplicki, S., Szydłowska-Czerniak, A (2022), Effect of Grinding Process Parameters and Storage Time on Extraction of Antioxidants from Ginger and Nutmeg. Molecules, 27, 7395. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217395
Robinson, T. (1995). Kandungan Organik Tumbuhan Tinggi. Bandung: ITB Press.
Sirait, M.S & Enriyani, R (2021) Skrining Fitokimia dan Pengaruh Cara Pengeringan Terhadap Kualitas Ekstrak Etanol Daging Buah Pala (Myristica fragrans Houtt). Jurnal Warta Akbar, 45(2):17-23. DOI: 10.55075/wa.v45i2.42
Trease, G.E., & Evans, W.C. (2002). Pharmacognosy. London: Saunders Publishers.
Wibowo, D.P., Febriana, Y., Riasari, H., Aulifa, D.L. (2018) Essential Oil Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) from Garut West Java, Indonesian. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, 5(3): 82-87. DOI:10.24198/ijpst.v5i3.16030
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Syamsul Bahri, I Wayan Merta
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Jurnal Biologi Tropis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The copyright of the received article shall be assigned to the author as the owner of the paper. The intended copyright includes the right to publish the article in various forms (including reprints). The journal maintains the publishing rights to the published articles.
Authors are permitted to disseminate published articles by sharing the link/DOI of the article at the journal. Authors are allowed to use their articles for any legal purposes deemed necessary without written permission from the journal with an acknowledgment of initial publication to this journal.
