Nutritive value of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.).

This review outlines the current state of knowledge on the nutritive value of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). The popularity of this plant, which is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family and is native to Iran, Pakistan and Turkey, is due to its beneficial actions. Black cumin has many therapeutic effects and is considered one of the most important medicinal plants in the world because of its antioxidant, anticoccidial, anthelminthic and antimicrobial activities. The nutritive value of black cumin is result of its carbohydrate, fatty acid, protein contents as well as its several bioactive compounds. The seeds or their byproducts can be used in feeds for farm animals, with positive effects on the compositional characteristics of eggs, milk and meat.