Distribution of Aromatic Volatiles in Young, Recently Matured, Matured and Old Leaves of Ginger (Zingiber officinales) by Electronic Nose

Abstract

Aims: Ginger aromatic volatiles generally extracted and quantified by various laboratory techniques analysis and instruments. Possibility of few highly volatiles loss coupled with the formation of different compounds during various extraction process due to changes in the natural chemical profiles of the ginger tissue samples. Thus, a study was carried out to explore and quantify the distribution of various natural volatiles present in young, recently matured, matured and old leaves of ginger. Study Design: Ginger seedlings and plants were grown in 100% biochar substrate and fertigated with 50 mg.L-1 of 20% N:4.3% P:16.6% K water soluble fertilizer. Five months old ginger plant leaves were harvested and washed with distilled water and separated by various physiological leaf stages. Place and Duration of Study: Tennessee State University, Nashville, USA. Methodology: Aromatic volatiles were analyzed and quantified by using Alpha Soft V14 electronic nose. Volatiles with more than 1% concentration by fresh mass were 20, 21, 20, and 29 in young, recently matured, matured and old leaves respectively. Results: Young, recently matured, matured and old leaves of ginger showed major volatiles  like benzaldehyde, 1, 8- cineole, myrcene, butane-2, 3-dione, 1 S-α- pinene, Z-3-Hexen-1-ol acetate, butanol and 1-Propanal, 2-methyl- volatiles were identified. A significant variation in the composition, quantity and distribution of volatiles was found across the various leaf tissue samples of ginger. Conclusion: The distribution of aromatic volatiles in this study would provide better insight and guidance to the consumers for maximum utilization ginger plant tissues beside rhizome; as a source of aromatic volatiles. Utilization of other plant tissues especially could be considered as an important byproduct will definitely contribute to the sustainability of ginger production and marketing in the near future.