332 Handbook of herbs and spices
∑ flavour, which is influenced by the composition of aromatic compounds: the
intense flavouring qualities are due to the presence of phthalides and terpene
(Rubatzky and Yamaguchi, 1997).Agmark of India provides three grades of celery seeds, viz., special, good, fair.
The BSI has laid down Indian standards for various spices but under the PFA (Protection
of Food) Act, no specification has yet been provided for celery seed. The grade
designations and definitions of quality of celery seed are given in Table 18.6
(Pruthi, 2001).
The minimum specific quality indices as per Farrell (1999) are seed moisture
10%, total ash 14%, acid insoluble ash 2%, volatile oil 2%, non-volatile ether extract
12%, foreign organic matter 2%. The latest contaminant tolerance limits of celery
seed as prescribed by the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) are whole
insects, dead by count four, excreta, mammalian by 3 mg/ef; excreta other by
3 mg/ef; infested by weight 1%; extraneous foreign matter by weight 0.5%. The other
common specifications of quality minimums for herbs and spices as per the European
Spice Association have also been cited by Muggeridge et al., (2001). The International
Standard Organization, has also laid down standards and production specifications of
celery seed as per the European Spice Association and are given here in Tables 18.7
and 18.8.
Table 18.6 Grade designations and definitions of quality of celery seeds
Grade designation Special quality characteristics General characteristics
*Extraneous matter, Moisture, percentage
percentage by weight by weight (maximum)
(maximum)Special 1.0 10.0 (a) Celery seed shall be
the dried mature. Fruits
of the botanically
known Apium graveolens
Linn.
Good 2.0 10.0 (b) Free from visible
moulds, live insects, any
harmful foreign matter
and musty odour
Fair 5.0 10.0 (c) Generally conform to
the characteristic size,
colour, taste and aroma
of the variety type.
*Definition: extraneous matter means dust, dirt, stones, earth, chaff, stalks, stems, straw or any other foreign
matter.
Table 18.7 ESA – individual product specifications for celery seed
Celery seed Ash % A/A % H 2 O V/O %
(ISO) w/w(maximum) w/w (maximum) %w/w(maximum) v/w(minimum)
12 3 11 1.5
Source: European Spice Association.