Importance of Measuring Total Gingerols in Ginger
Introduction
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has long been celebrated not just for its distinctive flavour and culinary uses but also for its potent health-promoting properties. At the core of ginger's therapeutic potential lies a group of bioactive compounds known as gingerols—specifically, 6-gingerol, which is the most abundant and biologically active. When evaluating the potency and quality of ginger, the quantification of total gingerols becomes essential.
What Are Gingerols?
Gingerols are phenolic compounds responsible for the pungent flavour and medicinal benefits of fresh ginger. They are structurally related to capsaicin and piperine, which are found in chilli peppers and black pepper, respectively.
The most commonly studied gingerols include:
- 6-Gingerol
- 8-Gingerol
- 10-Gingerol
These compounds exhibit various health benefits, including:
- Anti-inflammatory activity
- Antioxidant properties
- Nausea and motion sickness relief
- Support in digestion and gastrointestinal health
- Potential anticancer effects
Importance of Measuring Total Gingerols
|
Key Aspect |
Explanation |
|
Product Consistency & Quality Control |
Ensures uniform bioactive content across production batches, enhancing product reliability and consumer satisfaction. |
|
Verification of Label Claims |
Validates that the claimed gingerol content on the label matches the actual product, avoiding misleading information and ensuring transparency. |
|
Efficacy of Therapeutic Products |
Supports the health benefits promised by the product by confirming the presence of active compounds at effective concentrations. |
|
Compliance with Regulatory Requirements |
Helps meet national and international standards for herbal supplements and food products, particularly in regions with strict botanical regulations. |
Standards and regulations
FSSAI Standards for Ginger (Sonth, Adrak)
|
Parameter |
Whole Ginger (Sonth, Adrak) |
Ginger Powder |
|
Extraneous Matter |
Not more than 1.0% by weight |
- |
|
Moisture Content |
Not more than 12.0% by weight |
Not more than 12.0% by weight |
|
Total Ash (Dry Basis) |
Unbleached: Not more than 8.0% by weight |
Unbleached: Not more than 8.0% by weight |
|
|
Bleached: Not more than 12.0% by weight |
Bleached: Not more than 12.0% by weight |
|
Calcium as Calcium Oxide |
Unbleached: Not more than 1.1% by weight |
Unbleached: Not more than 1.1% by weight |
|
|
Bleached: Not more than 2.5% by weight |
Bleached: Not more than 2.5% by weight |
|
Volatile Oil Content |
Not less than 1.5% by v/w |
- |
|
Insect-Damaged Matter |
Not more than 1.0% by weight |
- |
|
Regulatory Body |
Form of Ginger |
Compound Measured |
Range |
Notes |
|
FSSAI |
Raw/Dried Ginger |
N/A |
No standard |
Focus on quality parameters like moisture, ash, volatile oil; no gingerol content. |
|
EU (Ph. Eur.) |
Dried Ginger (Medicinal) |
6-gingerol |
0.5-3.0% |
Total gingerols estimated at 0.625-3.75% assuming 6-gingerol is 80%. |
|
EU |
Ginger Extracts |
Total Gingerols |
No standard |
Some products may be standardized by manufacturers, e.g., 5-25%, not regulated. |
Eurofins role in testing total gingerols
Eurofins, a global leader in food and nutraceutical testing, offers precise quantification of total gingerols using validated analytical methods:
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): A widely accepted method for separating and quantifying individual gingerol compounds.
- HPLC-MS/MS (Tandem Mass Spectrometry): For high sensitivity and specificity, particularly in complex matrices.
- UV Detection Methods: Sometimes used for routine quality checks in standardized extracts.
Eurofins provides testing services for raw ginger rhizomes, powdered botanical materials, standardized ginger extracts, herbal beverages, teas, functional food formulations, capsules, and dietary supplements. Their comprehensive testing panel extends beyond just gingerols to include:
- Total Gingerols (6-, 8-, and 10-Gingerol) quantification
- Shogaols and Paradols – bioactive compounds formed during drying or processing
- Moisture content and water activity – important for shelf stability and microbial safety
- Residual solvents and pesticide residues – ensuring compliance with pharmacopeial and food-grade limits
- Heavy metal testing (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium) to ensure safety
- Microbial contaminants – such as Salmonella, E. coli, and yeast/mould counts
- Stability and degradation profiling of gingerols under various storage and processing conditions
- Nutritional profiling – where applicable in functional food products
Their services support:
- Standardization in supplements
- Batch-to-batch consistency
- Shelf-life studies for active components
- Compliance with international food safety and herbal supplement regulations
