A comparative quality appraisal of exported cardamoms of India, Sri Lanka and Guatemala

Abstract

Exported cardamoms from India, Sri Lanka and Guatemala were characterized based on physical, biochemical parameters and molecular techniques. For most of the physical quality parameters and for the biochemical traits such as starch and crude fibre Indian cardamom is found superior to the other produces. Further, GC profile of the oil of Indian cardamom indicated higher quantities of α-terpinyl acetate and 1, 8-cineole, which impart aroma and flavour to the cardamom, thus reinforcing the legendary belief of high intrinsic quality of the Indian cardamom. Molecular profiling using RAPD/ISSR primers did not reveal much polymorphism.