Changes in Solids, Oleoresin, and (6)-Gingerol Content of Ginger during Growth in Hawaii

Compositional changes of ginger ( Zingiber officinale Rose.) cultivated in Hawaii were examined during the first 34 weeks of growth. Solids content of the rhizome increased throughout the season, but there was a decline in the acetone-extractable oleoresin content of the dried ginger. Oleoresin content on a fresh-weight basis was roughly constant at 1% throughout the study. (6)-Gingerol content (the major pungent component) increased with age on a wet-weight basis, but declined on a dry weight basis after reaching a maximum at 16 weeks. The results of the study suggested that an optimum harvest date can be determined for the dried root market, where a mildly pungent product is desired, and where fresh market yield is important.