Comparative pre-treatment methods in enhancing oil extraction efficiency from black cumin

The extraction of essential oil from black cumin (Nigella sativa) has garnered substantial interest due to its therapeutic properties and broad industrial applications. Efficient extraction techniques are crucial for maximizing yield while preserving the quality of bioactive compounds. This study investigates the impact of two pre-treatment methods, such as maceration and ultrasonication, on the efficiency of oil extraction from black cumin seeds. The extraction was conducted using three approaches: MHD. MMHD and UMHD. The result demonstrated that UMHD method significantly outperformed the others, achieving the highest yield of 2,710% under optimal conditions (600 W microwave power), 0,25 g/ml feed-to-solvent ratio, 180 minutes extraction time). In comparison, MMHD and MHD produced yields of 1,876% and 1,587%, respectively. These findings indicate that ultrasonic pre-treatment synergistically enhances microwave hydro distillation, leading to more effective and sustainable essential oil extraction. This research supports the integration of innovative pre-treatment techniques to optimize extraction processes, not only for black cumin but also for other bioactive-rich botanicals..