Cumin oil smells exactly like the spice, warm and slightly sweaty. Cuminaldehyde is about three tenths of it and carries most of that character. In direct comparisons it had the widest reach of any component against food-poisoning bacteria.^[1] The whole oil held back a broad panel of bacteria and fungi in lab testing.^[2] It is phototoxic on skin in sunlight, which surprises people who think of it as a kitchen spice.^[3] Skin reactions after contact with the oil have been reported.^[3]