What Is Cilantro? Other Names: Chinese Parsley, Coentro, Coriandrum Sativum

What is Cilantro?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Cilantro, scientifically known as Coriandrum sativum L., is a leafy vegetable widely used for its aromatic properties in culinary applications. It is commonly used as a seasoning in various cuisines around the world. Despite its popularity, cilantro is highly perishable, which poses challenges for its storage and transportation. Other names include: Chinese Parsley, Coentro, Coriander Leaves, Dhanyaka, Coriandrum sativum, Fresh Coriander, Kustumburi, Persil Arabe, Persil Chinois, Persil Mexicain.

Characteristics and Uses Of Cilantro

Cilantro is known for its distinctive flavor and aroma, which makes it a popular choice for seasoning dishes. It is used in a variety of culinary traditions, including Mexican, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. The leaves, stems, and seeds of the cilantro plant are all edible, with the leaves being the most commonly used part in cooking.

Agricultural Practices

The cultivation of cilantro involves several agronomic practices to optimize growth and yield. Studies have shown that the adjustment of sowing density is crucial for achieving higher productivity and economic profitability. For instance, a sowing density of 5.4 g m-1 has been recommended to maximize yield and economic viability3. Additionally, the use of organic fertilizers and soil covers, such as sawdust, can enhance the growth and dry mass of cilantro plants4.

Postharvest Challenges

Cilantro is highly perishable, with significant postharvest losses due to water loss and decay. Research has explored methods to extend its storage life, such as Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP). This method has been shown to reduce physiological loss in weight and decay when cilantro is stored in Zero Energy Cool Chambers (ZECC)1. However, even with these methods, cilantro’s storage life is limited to a few days.

Health and Environmental Benefits

Cilantro is not only valued for its culinary uses but also for its potential health benefits. It contains active principles that may have detoxifying effects, such as reducing lead antagonism to copper and chromium in biological systems6. This suggests that cilantro could play a role in mitigating heavy metal toxicity in certain contexts.

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Adverse Effects of Cilantro

Microbiological Risks: Cilantro can be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7, a bacterium that poses a risk to public health. Although the probability of illness from consuming contaminated cilantro is very low, outbreaks have occurred. Ensuring clean irrigation water and proper temperature control during transportation can mitigate these risks1.

Chemical Contaminants: Cilantro can accumulate nanoparticles, such as cerium oxide (CeO₂), from the soil. These nanoparticles can alter the plant’s nutritional properties and potentially pose health risks if consumed in large quantities4.

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How has Cilantro Improved Patient Outcomes?

Nutritional Support in Cancer Patients

Improved Mortality and Quality of Life: Individualized nutritional support significantly reduced mortality and improved functional and quality of life outcomes in cancer patients with increased nutritional risk compared to standard hospital food1.

Treatment for Multiple Myeloma

Survival Outcomes: Continuous treatment with lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone (Rd continuous) significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival compared to melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide (MPT) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma2.

Supportive Care in Breast and Gynecologic Cancer

Quality of Life Improvements: An integrated supportive care intervention using Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) improved quality of life, emotional functioning, and reduced fatigue in patients with breast and gynecologic cancer six months after chemotherapy3.

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Cilantro Mechanisms of Action

Potassium Channel Activation: Cilantro contains a compound called (E)-2-dodecenal, which is a potent activator of KCNQ channels. These channels are important for regulating neuronal excitability and cardiac rhythm. The activation of these channels by (E)-2-dodecenal helps in delaying seizures, indicating its anticonvulsant properties1.

Binding Site: The binding site for (E)-2-dodecenal on the KCNQ channels is located between the S5 transmembrane segment and the S4-S5 linker. This interaction is crucial for the modulation of the channel’s activity, providing a molecular basis for cilantro’s therapeutic effects1.

Additional Biological Activities

Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Effects: Cilantro essential oil (CEO) has been shown to possess strong antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms, except Escherichia coli. It also demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects, which could contribute to its therapeutic potential2.

Antioxidant Activity: Although cilantro exhibits some antioxidant properties, these effects are relatively low and require high concentrations of the essential oil to be significant2.

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Common Complaints Associated with Cilantro

Soapy Taste: A significant number of people report that cilantro tastes like soap. This perception is largely attributed to the presence of aldehydes in cilantro, which are compounds that contribute to its characteristic odor1.

Genetic Influence: The dislike for cilantro, particularly the soapy taste, has a genetic component. A specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs72921001, is associated with the detection of this soapy taste. This SNP is located near a cluster of olfactory receptor genes, including OR6A2, which is believed to have a high binding specificity for the aldehydes responsible for the soapy aroma1.

Olfactory Receptor Genes: The genetic basis for cilantro aversion is linked to olfactory receptor genes. These genes influence how individuals perceive the smell and taste of cilantro, contributing to the polarizing opinions about the herb1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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