PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE)
Abstract
Ginger is an important plant known for its spicy and sharp flavor and it is usually employed in food preparation. This project screened the phytochemical compounds in the plant and quantitatively determined the percentage composition of alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid, and cyanogenic glycosides in ginger. Samples were analyzed using standard methods. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of glycosides, quinone, flavonoid, alkaloid, coumarin, steroid and saponin. Quantitative evaluation showed the percentage composition of alkaloid, cyanogenic glycoside, flavonoid and saponin in ginger to be 4.4%, 2.65%, 1.96% and 13.20% respectively. The presence of these important phytochemicals is an indication that ginger could have antioxidative, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic potency. Hence, it is recommended that research relating to the development of important drugs from ginger should be greatly encouraged.
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