Comparative Analysis of Essential Oil from Nigerian Ginger (Zingiber officinale rosce) and Others.

Abstract

Ginger essential oil was extracted and analysed from a locally grown ginger using steam distillation and gas chromatography –mass spectrometer methods respectively. The proximate composition of the ginger rhizome used was determined. The results obtained were compared to an available data on Thailand and China ginger proximate compositions as well as their respective essential oils. The oil yield was 1.7% which consisted of α-Pinene 0.22%, α-Phallendrene 0.04%, β-Phellandrene 1.00%, β-Pinene 0.65%, δ-Terpinene 0.04%, β-Sesquiphellandrene 18.45%, Farnesene 6.48%, Germacrene D 3.58% and Zingibrene 30.1%, having α-Pinene, α-Phallandrene and Zingibrene in common with Thailand and China ginger essential oils. The proximate composition of the ginger rhizome used was found to be Moisture content 88.53%, Ash content 2.47%, Lipids content 16.67%, Crude Fibre content 8.53%, Crude Protein 9.50% and Carbohydrates 62.50%. The ginger used was found to contain percentage lipids of 16.67% which is significantly higher compared to 7.78% and 9.00% Lipids content of Thailand and China gingers respectively, making it a good choice for oil extraction.