Embracing Science and Technology in the Nutmeg

Industry: Agronomy, Post-harvest and Value-added Issues”

Trade CentreFriday, February 19, 2015

Introduction

Family: Myristicaceae 18 genera, 300+ species

Myristica fragrans Hout

Myristica argentaM. malabrica

Short History

Nutmeg Myristica fragrans Houtt.

Family Myristicaceae

18431851

1960

Introduced to Grenada on Belvidere EstateFields in Penang & Singapore devastated by insect pest. This stimulated production in Grenada.Serious planting of nutmeg began in Grenada

1881 First shipment - 50 tons of nutmeg and mace

1947 Grenada Co-operative Nutmeg Association (GCNA) established by the Nutmeg Industry Act

1955 Hurricane Janet - about 80% of tree crop destroyed

2004/2005 Hurricanes Ivan and Emily. 90% of crop destroyed20102014

Launch of the Nutmeg Sector Revitalization StrategyPost-Ivan/Emily nutmeg production surpassed 500 MT

Cropping System

Bananas as classical ‘nurse’ crop

In mixed cultivations or pure stands

Recommended spacing: 30 x 30 feet (47

plants/acre)

Mid to higher rainfall areas over 70 in rainfall/yr.

Mainly on Belmont & Capitol clays

Local Scenario

Pre Hurricane Ivan Growers 7,000 Total acreage 11,000 acres Top 3 parishesSt Andrew, St David, St

Patrick

Present scenario Growers 3,572 Present acreage 4,900 acres (Est.) Top 3 parishes St Andrew, St Patrick, St John

Replanting process has been slowest in St David

Plant Propagation

Seedlings Exclusively from 1843 to 1956 Marcotting From 1956 – 1980

14,564 plants (300 Acres)

Malayan seedlings (1960s)

Epicotyl grafts - 2008 400 plants

Patch budding - 2013

4 mth Epicotyl graph 2.5 year Epicotyl graph

15 Year MacottSeedling nutmeg

Propagation: Patch budding

Practice observed in India in 2011Potential to convert male to female trees & for plant production

Emerging shoot from patch

Fertilization & Field Management

Little research compared to cocoa & bananasInsufficient attention given to soil testing Mainly banana & cocoa fertilizer used

– 12-8-24– 15-7-21 + 2MgO

General decline in organic manure use over decades

A few farms practice dedicated organic farming

Field Management

Varying levels of management among growers: From Fair to Excellent

Inadequate attention to drainage more root rot disease

Frequently planted too close.Inadequate pruning of trees.Mainly chemical weed control. Needs

attention -under trees - to comply with GAP

New organized plantings in India

Disease Management

Main disease: Nutmeg Root Rot Disease (Nutmeg wilt disease)- Rosellinia Spp? Phytopthora Spp?Phosponate injections being tested

Improved Cultural practices beneficialDrainageSoil amendments

Yield

Average yield : 2000 fruits/tree/year

Potential yield : 8,000 fruits/tree/year

Average wt. of fresh seed : 9.5g

Average wt. of fresh mace : 2-4g

Harvesting

Begins from year 4 - 7 Still a 100% manual process With bamboo poles or sticks

Regular harvest necessary to reduce losses

Processing/Drying/Curing Process GCNA

Centralized uniform processing – Ensures uniform final product.

Air drying of nuts in trays. Duration of 6-8 weeks Solar drying tested by WINDREF of SGU with promising

results Introduction of cracking machine in 1980s Organic processing plant installed in Beaulieu in 2000

Possible Options - Use of solar dryers for mace by farmers - Solar drying/curing of nuts by GCNA - Drying of nuts by GCNA using heat from nutmeg shells?

Sound Unassorted Nutmegs (SUNS)Sound Selected Nutmegs110’s (110 to the lb) (242 to the kg)80’s (80 to the lb) (176 to the kg)60/65’s (60-65 to the lb) (132/143 to the kg)

Grenada Unassorted Nutmegs (GUNS)Dry in Shell‘Distillation Nutmegs’Grenada Broken and Clean (GBC) Nutmegs

Whole Red MaceNo. 1 – Whole Pale MaceNo. 2 – Broken Mace No. 3 – Broken Pieces and Picking

GCNA Product Classification

Nutmeg Uses

LEAF – Medicinal Insecticidal?

PERICARP – Culinary, Insecticidal?

MACE – Culinary, Medicinal, Cosmetics, Industrial?

SHELL – Mulch, LandscapingEnergy ?, Growing medium?

KERNEL - Culinary, Medicinal, Cosmetics

PROCESSOR PRODUCTS

GCNA Nutmeg & Mace (commodities) Currently developing other value added products

West India Spices Inc. Essential oil, Butter, Oleoresin, Spice mixes

De La Grenade Industries Ltd.

Nutmeg jam, Jelly, Syrup, Nutmeg Tamarind sauce, Nutmeg Ginger Barbecue Sauce

Rainbow Products Nutmeg syrup, Nutmeg preserves

Noelville Ltd. Nutmed pain relief spray & Cream

Grenada Distillers Ltd. Liqueur, Rum punch, Spicy rum

Baron Foods (Grenada) Ltd. Nutmeg ketchup

SACCS Nutmeg jam. Jelly, Sauce/ Nutmeg Ginger sauce, Nutmeg pepper jelly, Nutmeg Guava jam

The Grenada Chocolate Co. Ltd.

Chocolate Nutmeg Truffle

Sugar and Spice Investments

Nutmeg Ice cream

List of Nutmeg Processors and Products

PROCESSOR PRODUCTS

G-Links Nutmeg honey

Pappy’s Product Nutmeg Extract

GRENROP (members) Nutmeg jam, Jelly, Balls, Syrup, Snacks, Preserve, Confectionery, Seasoning, Sauces, Spicy cocoa balls

GIDC (Processors in the Nutmeg Pericarp Project)…. Belmont Estate

Jams, Balls, whole & ground nutmeg

Grenada Distillers Liqueur, Rum punch, spicy rum

Carolus Caribbean Cosmetics

Body care products

Arawak Islands Ltd. Aloe Nutmeg balm, Nutmeg soap, Body oil, Nutmeg syrup, spice bar, spice jar, rum punch, spice basket

Cluster of 20 Plus Small agro-processors

Jams, Jellies, Confectionery. New products to be developed

Barguna Enterprise Ltd. Nutmeg wine

Bowen’s Products Nutmeg oil, Traditional rums

Market & Tourist Vendors Nutmeg with shell, without shell, spice mixes, other processors nutmeg products

List of Nutmeg Processors and Products

Research in Nutmegs

1965 - Studies by Mc Gill University on the possibility of expanding production of nutmeg preserves.

1966 – GCNA contributed EC$4,800 to UWI for nutmeg research in production & processing

Field survey to determine superior trees for multiplication

Conduct analyses on essential oils Biochemical studies on quality

Research & Development

In 1970 the GCNA purchased equipment for manufacturing jams

GCNA commissioned nutmeg oil distillation plant at Marli

2003 – German company started analysis of over 500 nutmeg trees for low safrole content for inclusion in medicinal product.

WINDREF (SGU): - Study on occupational health of nutmeg processors - Study on drying of nutmegs using solar energy

Spice Research Project (SRP)2010 to present

Selections of elite nutmeg trees based on:- Productivity - Large seed size -Mace thickness -% mace coverage

- Chemical composition of the oilChemical analysis of trees

- Oil content- Myristicin & safrole content

-Established database of desirable germplasm.

SpiceResearchProject: Chemical analysis

Observations:Close correlation between Myristicin and SafroleNo apparent link with location and chemical

analysis ‘Malayan’ nutmegs have higher myristicin and

safrole than Banda nutmegs ‘Malayan’ nutmeg profile similar to Asian Decision: Reduce propagation of Malayan

seedlings

Main components of nutmeg essential oils

Compounds Grenadian Oil Sri Lankan Oil Indonesian Oil

α-thujene 4.7 1.2 1.7α-pinene 11.5 14.8 22.3sabinene 28.2 41.8 19.5β-pinene 10.8 12.0 14.8limonene 4.0 3.7 3.91,8-cineole 3.2 2.2 2.1Terpinen-4-ol 9.5 2.2 4.3Safrole 0.17 0.9 1.7Myrisiticin 0.52 4.1 10.2Elemicin 0.94 2.1 0.37

SRP: Carbonization of Nutmeg shells

35 Tons of shells generated per 100 Tons of nutmegs processed.

Carbonized shells have potential for horticultural use, briquettes, etc

Larger scale (20 ft container) required for further development

Looking Forward Useful R & D initiatives but more consistent efforts needed.

Need closer R & D collaboration with GCNA/MOA /UWI/SGU/TAMCC in research on production, drying, processing & value added.

Need to develop cadre of Local Nutmeg Scientists!! Need for MANDITORY Research & Development Fund (GCNA). Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Traceability. Value Added Need for greater GCNA investment Greater support for smaller companies Improved Marketing

Thank You