Skip to main content
  • Book
  • © 2020

Cinnamon

Botany, Agronomy, Chemistry and Industrial Applications

  • First book ever published on True Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume; synonym Cinnamomum verum (J Presl.) dealing comprehensively with the latest advances of its botany, genetics and biotechnology, agronomy, chemistry, pharmacology and industrial applications
  • Chapters on historical and ethno-botanical aspects of cinnamon trade will be of particular interest to readers that enjoy the history and commerce of food science
  • Specific focus on the molecular characterization, genetic barcoding and chemical profiling of True Cinnamon. These studies differentiate True Cinnamon from Cassia Cinnamon; the latter contains high content of coumarin which is carcinogenic. At present, both True Cinnamon and Cassia are sold as cinnamon in the global market. Consumer is not aware of the health hazards associated with regular consumption of Cassia as a spice

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (17 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xx
  2. An Introduction to Sri Lanka and Its Cinnamon Industry

    • Ranjith Pathirana, Ranjith Senaratne
    Pages 1-38
  3. Historical, Ethno-Botanical and Social Aspects of Cinnamon Cultivation in Sri Lanka

    • Nirmal R. Dewasiri, Lodewijk J. Wagenaar, Jayadeva Uyangoda
    Pages 39-61
  4. Ceylon Cinnamon Production and Markets

    • Achini M. De Silva, Mohamed Esham
    Pages 63-84
  5. Botany of Endemic Cinnamomum Species of Sri Lanka

    • Pushpa Damayanthi Abeysinghe, Pradeepa C. G. Bandaranayake, Ranjith Pathirana
    Pages 85-118
  6. Genetics and Molecular Characterization of Genus Cinnamomum

    • Pradeepa C. G. Bandaranayake, D. K. N. G. Pushpakumara
    Pages 119-146
  7. Ecology, Agronomy and Management of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume)

    • D. N. Samaraweera, Sheron N. Weerasuriya, A. S. Karunaratne, S. Subasinghe, Ranjith Senaratne
    Pages 171-200
  8. Pests and Diseases of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume)

    • G. G. Jayasinghe, R. H. S. Rajapakse, K. L. Wasantha Kumara, D. Ratnasekera, N. K. B. Adikaram
    Pages 201-232
  9. Cinnamon Process Technology

    • K. D. N. Weerasinghe, N. P. G. Pushpitha
    Pages 233-250
  10. Chemistry and Bioactive Compounds of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume

    • P. A. Paranagama, K. R. Dayananda, Jinasena W. Hewage
    Pages 251-271
  11. Tapping into the Potential of Cinnamon as a Therapeutic Agent in Neurological Disorders and Metabolic Syndrome

    • Hanouf Ismail, Nalaka Wijekoon, Lakmal Gonawala, Stephanie Perera, Shamali Wasala, Yoonus Imran et al.
    Pages 273-305
  12. Pharmacological Properties of Ceylon Cinnamon

    • G. A. S. Premakumara, W. P. K. M. Abeysekera
    Pages 307-325
  13. Public-Private Partnership in Growth and Development of Cinnamon Industry in Sri Lanka

    • Kumudini Gunasekare, Sarada de Silva, Ravindu Runage
    Pages 349-361
  14. Value Creation and Food Products of Cinnamon

    • Renda K. C. Jeewanthi, Achini M. De Silva, Tharaka Weddagala
    Pages 363-376
  15. Cinnamon Value Chain Dynamics and Enhancement

    • Achini M. De Silva, Mohamed Esham
    Pages 377-405
  16. Back Matter

    Pages 435-442

About this book

Cinnamon is the common name for the spice obtained from the dried inner bark of several species of the genus Cinnamomum in the Lauraceae family. In world trade, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl Cinnamomum burmannii dominate, but it is of a different quality to ‘true’ or ‘Ceylon’ cinnamon produced from Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (C. verum J. Presl), with the latter much easier to process, giving a more delicate, sweeter flavor with nuances of clove, but more importantly with only traces (often below detection thresholds) of coumarin, compared with 5–7 g/kg in other species.  Cinnamon has been a popular and expensive spice in many civilizations, including ancient Egypt, Rome and in 14th and 15th century Europe, where it was used primarily to preserve meat for its antibacterial properties, fine aroma and flavor. Ancient Egyptians used cinnamon in mummification process due to its antibacterial properties and fragrance. The quest for cinnamon brought many explorers to Ceylon, whose ancient history is intertwined with the cinnamon trade. Ancient Egyptians and Romans used cinnamon as a valued spice and as an incense.

In recent years, much research has been conducted in crop improvement, processing and value addition in cinnamon. In addition to direct use as a condiment/spice, cinnamon has found a multitude of uses in the food and beverage, traditional medicine, pharmacology, nutraceutical and cosmetics industries. Ceylon cinnamon is unique in that oils distilled from the bark (major constituents are cinnamaldehyde and oleoresins), leaf (eugenol is the major constituent used in dentistry, perfumes, flavorings and as an antioxidant) and roots (camphor) have different industrial uses. Cinnamaldehyde is now a proven natural bactericide widely used in food and beverage industry, effective against Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli. Thus, it has become an important natural component of organic fruit and vegetable juices to enhance microbial safety of these nutritious beverages.

Because of its manifold uses, cinnamon is an important crop. There have been many recent publications on its ethnobotany, genetics, crop improvement, agronomy, processing, biotechnology, chemistry, food and medicinal uses, and industrial applications. However, one book condensing all these findings is lacking.  Our publication, with chapters devoted to all these aspects of cinnamon written by experts in these fields, condenses current knowledge into a single source and contribute to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and technology. Contributors to the book constitute internationally renowned senior scientists and academics with hands-on experience as well as movers and shakers of industry, thereby striking a right balance between theory and practice. Therefore it is a valuable source for students, teachers, scientists, planners policy makers, practicing agriculturists and industrialists, and a prizedacquisition to any library in higher education institutions, R & D institutions and public and private sector institutions in agriculture and allied fields.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of Crop Science, University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka

    Ranjith Senaratne

  • Plant & Food Research Australia Pty Ltd, Waite Campus Research Precinct, Urrbrae, Australia

    Ranjith Pathirana

About the editors

Dr Ranjith Senaratne is a Professor and Chair of Department of Crop Science at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.  His present research and professional interests mainly center around building eco-friendly, tech-savvy climate-resilient agriculture, disaster risk reduction, higher education and university outreach.

Dr Ranjith Pathirana is a team leader at the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited. His research focuses on cell and tissue culture applications for crop improvement, germplasm conservation and elucidating biochemical pathways.  He is also a consultant on cryopreservation and cryotherapy, and plant mutation breeding for several institutes around the world.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access