Comparative evaluation of physicochemical, phytochemical and FTIR analysis of pure and leached ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale)

Abstract

The emerging global significance and faster rate of increase in interest on herbal drugs for treating various illnesses cannot be underestimated. This research is aimed to evaluate physicochemical, phytochemical and FT-IR spectroscopy to identify leached ginger with pure ginger. The physicochemical parameters were determined using standard analytical methods, phytochemical screening was determined using standard method and the FT-IR analysis was conducted using an agilent microlab 4000 (Agilent Technology). The results shows that fat contents is 3.97% and 0.00%, moisture contents 11.40% and 2.40%, ash value 8.20% and 2.50% and acid-insoluble ash 11.30% and 2.20%. Moisture contents, ash value and acid-insoluble ash of leached ginger suggested some level of adulteration, and that of pure ginger were found to be of acceptable limits for powdered medicinal plants prescribed by European pharmacopoeia. The results also revealed the presence of phytochemicals tested in pure ginger but only flavonoids and alkaloids were present in the leached ginger. The results of FT-IR revealed different characteristic peak values with various functional compounds such as alcohols, alkanes, carbonyl, and aromatic ring. The research has suggested that, the result of physicochemical and phytochemical analysis indicated that pure ginger is a good source of micronutrients and it could be useful in medicinal herb.