Ginger Classification, Formation, sources, Chemical Constituents, Identification Test, Adulterants and Uses + MCQ (10)
Synonyms :- Adarak, Zingiber Biological Source :- Ginger belongs to oleo gum resin category and is obtained from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe. Family :- Zingiberaceae Geographical Source :- It is indigenous to South East Asia and cultivated in Caribbean Island, Jamaica, Taiwan, Africa, Australia, Mauritius and India. In India it is cultivated in nearly all states like Kerala, Assam, Himanchal Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Karnataka. Cultivation and Collection :-Ginger
- The basic requirement of soil for the cultivation of ginger is sandy loam, clay or red loam soil. It needs warm humid climate and heavy rainfall.
- It grows well at an altitude of 1000 to 1500 meter from sea level. The propagation is mainly done from rhizomes in the month of June.
- The seed rhizome having bud are sowed into soil and supplemented with adequate amount of manures and fertilizers viz. Superphosphate, potash and ammonium sulphate.
- If rainfall is not enough than proper irrigation arrangements are done. Ginger is ready for harvesting in six months or when leaves become yellowish.
- Harvesting is done by digging method.
- Rhizomes are washed properly and then dried. Then rhizomes are scrapped, dried and coated with inert material such as calcium sulphate.
- The average yield of green ginger is about 1500 kg per hectare.
- Colour: Buff or earthy brown.
- Odour: Characteristic, Agreeable and Aromatic.
- Taste: Pungent.
- Size: Rhizomes are 5 to 15 cm in length and 2 to 6 cm in width.
- Shape: Rhizomes are laterally compressed, bears short, flat, ovate branches and bud at apex.
- Fracture: Fibrous, short.
- It contains volatile oil, fat, starch, moisture, resinous matter, fibre and inorganic material etc. The oil contains hydrocarbons (monoterpene and sesquiterpene) ,oxygenated derivatives of terpenes and phenyl propanoids. Along with these compounds α–zingiberene, β-sesquiphellandrene, α-curcumene, β-bisabolene, α-farnesene, geranial, citral are also present in the drug.
- The specific aroma of ginger is due to the presence of volatile oils whereas the pungency and therapeutic action is due to the presence of phenolic ketones which includes gingerols like Zingerone, gingediols, paradols, shogaols, ο-methyl ethers and hexahydrocurcumin.
- It is adulterated with exhausted ginger (detected by determination of water soluble ash value, volatile oil content and extractive values).
- The ‘Spent ginger’ is also uses for adulteration purpose. In this type, the aroma has beenextracted which yields low quality of ginger.
- Ginger is often contaminated with capsicum or grains of paradise to enhance the pungency.
Some phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe): A review of recent research
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691507004243 This information is taken only for education purpose.