Israeli firm TriNutra has announced a new patent-pending study and review on the phytochemical compound thymoquinone (TQ) found in Nigella sativa (black seed) oil.
The study compared four different compositions of black seed oil based on the percentage of TQ and low or high free fatty acid (FFA) and found that that the low-TQ, high-FFA oil did not inhibit fungal growth and the low-TQ, low-FFA provided moderate support. However, the oils containing 3% TQ showed the most potent inhibition of M. furfur and C. albicans fungi, with the low FFA oil delivering the best results.
The oils were also tested on S. aureus. All of the tested black seed oils effectively inhibited its growth, possibly via an additional component or an as yet unidentified combination. The study concluded that cold-pressed black seed oil with 3% TQ and low FFA “is an alternative and safe option to strongly regulate the growth of key microorganisms influencing skin health and to assist in balancing the skin and gut microbiome”.
