Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) samples of the kind "Gigante", from a number of Brazilian producing areas, were used to investigate the best processing conditions and the quality of the essential oil and oleoresin obtained. The Gigante ginger essential oil chemical composition varies with the distillation method and the rhizome's state. The essential oils from fresh and dried rhizomes were compared through their physico-chemical indices and GC composition. The general characteristics of the dry rhizome essential oil obtained using direct steam distillation are presented. The essential oil content was determined on the oleoresins obtained with differents solvents. The Brazilian ginger provides an essential oil yield of 2,2% and oleoresin yields varying from 6.91-10.90% (ethanol), 2.53-5.62% (acetone) and 3.35-3.91% (ethylene dichloride), appearing as interesting alternatives for rhizome utilization.
Zingiber officinale; ginger; essential oils; drying; gas chromatography
