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Research Article Volume 11 Issue 2
Bioactive compounds and therapeutic properties of Carum carvi
Bhawana Edison, Saroj Rani, Sunita Singh, Avanish Chandra Sharma
Received: April 14, 2026 | Published: April 23, 2026
Citation: Edison B, Rani S, Singh S, et al. Bioactive compounds and therapeutic properties of Carum carvi. MOJ Biol Med. 2026;11(2):40-43. DOI: 10.15406/mojbm.2026.11.00268
Abstract
Carum carvi L. (Apiaceae), commonly known as caraway, is a versatile biennial herb that has been revered since ancient times for its remarkable therapeutic potential. Widely recognized as a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds, it serves as a valuable source of both traditional remedies and modern pharmaceutical ingredients, nutraceuticals, and functional food components. The seeds are extensively used as a prized spice to impart a distinctive pungent aroma and warm flavour to beverages, baked goods, pickles, salads, and confectionery. The phytochemical profile of C. carvi is dominated by its essential oil (1–9% yield), which is exceptionally rich in monoterpenes, particularly D-carvone and (+)-limonene. Other notable constituents include coumarins (umbelliferone, herniarin, and scopoletin), flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and lipid fractions such as glycerol esters and β-sitosterol, primarily accumulated in the roots. These diverse secondary metabolites — including terpenes, coumarins, flavonoids, and phenolics — confer potent biological activities, most notably broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects against both Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria, as well as strong antioxidant properties through free radical scavenging and enzyme modulation. Owing to this unique chemical diversity, Carum carvi holds significant promise in food preservation, flavour enhancement, and the development of natural therapeutic agents.
Keywords: Carum carvi, caraway, essential oil, carvone, limonene, antimicrobial, antioxidant, phytochemistry, traditional medicine, nutraceuticals.
©2026 Edison, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.