Question

What are the physical and chemical properties of the spice cumin?

Answer 1

Cumin scientic name is Cuminum cyminum. It has other names also because of a varieties present across the world. They are Cumin oleoresin; Cumin absolute; Cumin seed oil; Oils, cumin; Cuminum cyminum oil; Oils, cuminum cyminum. It has a molecular weight 568.886 g/mol and its molecular formula is C₄₀H₅₆O₂.

Color                                       - Light-yellow to amber brown liquid

Voltality                                   - Volatile oil

Odor                                        - Strong, somewhat fatty and green odor

Taste                                        - SPICY, FAINTLY PUNGENT FLAVOR

Solubility                                   - Soluble in fixed oils, mineral oil; very soluble in glycerin, propylene glycol,almost insoluble in water; very soluble in chloroform and ether

Density                                      - 0.908-0.958 @ 20 DEG C

Heat Stability                              - When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

INDEX OF REFRACTION - 1.4940-1.5160 @ 20 DEG C; SPECIFIC OPTICAL ROTATION: +3 DEG TO +6 DEG 50 MIN.

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