Volatile constituents of essential oils isolated fromAlpinia galangaWilld. (L.) andA. officinarumHance rhizomes from North East India

Chemical profiles of essential oils isolated from the rhizomes of two Alpinia species, Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. and Alpinia officinarum Hance from North East India, were analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Major compounds identified in the oils of A. galanga and A. officinarum were 1,8-cineole (63.4 and 44.2%), α-terpineol (2.8 and 6.3%), α-pinene (1.9 and 2.0%), β-pinene (0.8 and 5.7%), and terpinen-4-ol (2.8 and 4.5%), respectively. Some additional compounds identified in A. officinarum oil were camphor (4.0%) and α-fenchyl acetate (8.9%), while chavicol (0.9%), (E)-β-farnesene (8.4%), β-sesquiphellandrene (2.6%), β-bisabolene (0.3%), and eugenol acetate (3.3%) were present in A. galanga oil. 1,8-Cineole is an important aromatic chemical reported to possess expectorant, antiseptic, and anesthetic properties and is used widely in pharmaceutical preparations. Therefore, there is a promising possibility to utilize these plant species for industrial purpose.