*2.8. Statistical Analysis*

Mean values of all data were calculated using Microsoft Office Excel 2013 packages. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using Statistica, version 10.0, and means were compared using Duncan's multiple range test at a significance level of α = 0.05.

## **3. Results**

#### *3.1. Morphological and Anatomical Characteristics of Black Cardamom Seeds*

Black cardamom seeds are conical, polyhedral, 0.35–0.7 cm in diameter, brown or black, and covered with greyish-white membranous aril (Figure 2a–c). They have a pungent, slightly spicy, and aromatic taste. The weights of 100 fresh and dried seeds were found as 9.5 and 6.1 g, respectively.

**Figure 2.** Black cardamom seeds: (**a**,**b**) morphological characteristics of seeds; (**c**) seed covered by arillus; (**d**,**e**) anatomical characteristics of seeds under the stereomicroscope: ts—testa, ets—endotesta, hi—hilum, ps—perisperm, en—endosperm, em—embryo; (**f**–**h**) anatomical characteristics of seeds under the SEM: ep—epidermal cells of testa, hy—hypodermis, oi—oil cell layer, pi—pigment layer. Scale bars (**f**–**h**) = 500 μm.

The longitudinal section of the black cardamom seed was observed by stereo microscope and SEM (Figure 2d–h). From the outside to the inside of the seed, the observed structures include:

