Description and Constituents Piper methysticum (kava kava) is a perennial plant native to the Pacific Island region, and has been used ceremonially for thousands of years. Traditionally, a beverage is prepared, then drunk before the evening meal. Indigenous methods of mastication of the kava root have given way to grinding or pounding the plant substance, which is then mixed with water or cocon...

Germplasm conservation in the form of seed is convenient and most cost-effective ex situ conservation method for plant species producing orthodox seeds. Several species of plantation crops and spices produce non-orthodox seeds, which exhibit intermediate or recalcitrant seed storage behaviour. Storage of these species requires the use of in vitro conservation techniques for shortto medium-term ...

Nutmeg, the dried seed kernel of Myristica fragrans, MF (Family: Myristicaceae) possesses antifungal, hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties. Its radioprotective effect against 6, 8 and 10 Gy gamma radiation was evaluated by 30 day survival assay. Regression analysis yielded LD(50/30 )as 6.83 Gy and 8.89 Gy for irradiated only and (MF + radiation) groups, respectively. The dose reduction f...

The aim of this study was to find out the effect of selected spices on chemical and sensorial markers in cakes formulated on rye and light buckwheat flour fortified with spices. Among collection of spices, rye-buckwheat cakes fortified individually with cloves, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, vanilla, and spice mix revealed the highest sensory characteristics and overall quality. Cakes fortified wi...

‘On closer examination the root was found to be covered with excrescences varying from the size of a small pin’s head to that of a little Bean or Nutmeg.’ This observation, from one of the first accounts of root-knot nematodes on plants, was made by Berkeley (1855), an eminent Victorian scientist, on publishing his discovery of galls produced by nematodes on the roots of cucumbers growing in a ...