290 Handbook of herbs and spices
recommended against scabs, manges, mycosis and other dermal diseases. Due to its
antibacterial and antifungal functional properties, caraway is also used to heal infected
injuries and burns. Caraway diet supplementation 12 g/kg diet in New Zealand white
rabbits, improved reproductive efficiency, doe milk yield and pup pre-weaning mortality
(Rashwan, 1998). Lipid oxidation was effectively inhibited in chicken meat treated
with marjoram (Origanum). Wild marjoram and caraway (Carum carvi) were the
most effective dry spices (El-Alim et al., 1999).
15.5.2 Natural potato sprout inhibitor
Besides the use of caraway seeds, caraway seed powder and essential oils in the food
and pharmaceutical industries, it has proved to be an important natural sprout inhibitor
in potato by extending the dormancy period and quality after storage. Caraway as a
natural sprout inhibitor had a positive effect on the reduction in respiration intensity
dry matter, reducing sugars and starch contents after seven months during storage
(Zabaliuniene, et al., 2003). A few monoterpenes from caraway, including S-carvone
(the safe food ingredient), were found to suppress sprout growth under warehouse
conditions for more than a year, depending upon the amount applied (Hartmans et al.,
1995). S-carvone as a commercial suppressant for ware potatoes under the tradename
‘Talent’ is available in the Netherlands.
15.6 Toxicity...........................................................................................
Caraway seed and essential oil do not appear to have any significant toxicity to
human beings. Most authors agree that caraway shows no toxic affect towards people
and is well tolerated in medicinal doses and as a spice. However Lewis (1977), while
discussing the problem of allergy, mentioned carvone as a sensitizing substance and
classified caraway among plants causing contact dermatitis. Furocoumarins such as
5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen, the known potent photosensitizing
substances, were detected in traces (Ceska et al.,1987) and thus are not harmful. The
residues of nitrate, nitrite and pesticides in herbs can be transformed by bacteria to
toxic nitrites which can cause blood circulation disorders and methemoglobinemia,
but analysis of caraway samples has exhibited no contents of nitrites but nitrates
content was noticed in relatively small quantities (Gajewska et al., 1995). Similarly,
analysis of pesticide residues through gas liquid and thin layer chromatography tests
showed that HCH was the main compound found and residue did not exceed the
maximum limit of 0.2 mg/kg.
Duke et al., (2002) have mentioned that caraway hazards and/or side effects are
not known for proper therapeutic dosages. The drug is contraindicated in inflammation
of the kidneys, since apiaceous essential oils may increase the inflammation as a
result of epithelial irritation. Overdoses for long periods can lead to kidney and/or
liver damage. Caraway essential oil has proved toxic to mites and insects. It has been
reported to inhibit allergy-causing mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinael,
Euroglyphus maynei, Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Glycyphagus domesticus,
Lepidogoly phus destructor and Ghiera fusca (Ottoboni et al., 1992). The petroleum
ether extract of caraway seed has shown acaricidal properties for inhibiting Tyrogphagus
putrescentiae mite (Afifi and Hafez,1988) and toxicity to some insects causing larval
inhibition in Musca domestica, Culex pipiens, fatigans and mosquito (Deshmukh and