Evergreen and fragrant, the nutmeg tree is Myristica fragrans, of the Myristicaceae family. Two spices that can be made from the fruit make it significant.
Mace spice and seed are covered in an outer layer called flesh. When harvesting, North Sulawesi farmers just remove the mace portion and seed (kernel), throwing away the meat.
The mace spice (javitri) refers to the fleshy, spongy, net-like tissue layer that is red or light yellow on the kernel. It is a sweet-smelling, very fragrant spice that is mild and wonderful for baking.
It also has the firm, fleshy, brownish-white seed kernel, known as a nutmeg, within the fruit and divided by reddish-brown veins.
Soon after harvest, the mace is carefully removed from the nut, cleaned, and either flattened by hand or between boards before being sun-dried. When new, it is a vivid crimson that dries to a yellowish-brown hue and becomes more sticky and brittle. By weight, the mace makes up 2.0–2.5% and the kernel 16–17% of the fruit. Mace spice is utilized in folk medicine in the Unani and Ayurvedic systems, as well as a flavoring ingredient and hair color in traditional medicine.
Mace spice contains comparatively less fat and carbs than nutmeg since it is metabolized differently. Macelian, myristicin, elemicin, safrole, terpenes, alpha- and beta-pinene, myristic acid, trimyristin, and neolignan (myrislignan) are the primary bioactive ingredients in mace. It is low in calories and rich in nutrients, including fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and copper, as well as vital and non-essential vitamins and minerals including riboflavin and vitamin B6.
The inability to control one’s urination, characterized by symptoms like pee escaping after coughing, laughing, or sneezing, is known as urinary incontinence. On the other hand, taking 1.5 g of mace powder twice a day for three months helps to reduce the symptoms of incontinence. because it includes tannins, which help to minimize the laxity of the anterior vaginal wall and tone up the muscles. Cumin powder is also good for health.
Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus salivarius are among the oral bacteria that mace inhibits with its resorcinols, malabaricone B and malabaricone C. Additionally, it prevents the formation of microorganisms that cause gum disease, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.
Read: Best Most Popular Spice of Word
The mace’s macelignans help shield white blood cells from dangerous radicals and prevent DNA damage, which strengthens the immune system.
Bioactive neolignans found in mace are beneficial in lowering tumor incidence, frequency, and burden in addition to lowering tumor incidence. It prevents the spread of cancer, including colon and cervical cancer.
Read: The Most Well-liked Indian Spice
Mace has a lot of alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols that may change the makeup of the body. By blocking the action of the lipase enzyme, these substances aid in the prevention of fat absorption. In addition, they improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which lowers oxidative stress and treats obesity.
High levels of polyphenols found in mace spice (javitri) aid in promoting healthy enzyme activity, preventing lipid peroxidation, and deactivating harmful substances. As a result, the consumption shields the liver from harm.
Myristicin, which is found in mace, helps to lessen joint discomfort and swelling, making it a potential rheumatism medication.
Neolignans, myristicin, and phenolic chemicals found in mace effectively prevent Helicobacter pylori from growing. These germs proliferate in the stomach, causing discomfort and sometimes even ulcers. Mace is so helpful in treating peptic ulcers, indigestion, and maybe stomach cancer.
Naturally occurring antioxidants, tannin, flavonoid, and terpenoid chemicals are abundant in mace. These phytochemicals aid in shielding the body against a number of illnesses and preventing the production of dangerous radicals.
A bioactive substance found in mace called macelignan functions as an anti-allergic agent to stop the onset of asthma. In addition, it aids in the treatment of diseases of the neurological system including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Preventing premature skin aging and shielding human skin cells from UVB irradiation are further advantages.
Mace is generally safe, effective, and readily accessible since it does not cause any negative side effects when used in smaller amounts. Workers who handle mace and nutmeg, however, have experienced some issues.
Workers who are exposed to nutmeg and mace processing businesses may have symptoms in their upper and lower respiratory tracts. Because of the dust, mold, glucan, and endotoxin in them, they have dry cough, nasal congestion, and dyspnea.
Since a significant quantity of mace might alter a person’s behavior, emotions, thoughts, or perception, care should be used before consuming.
