Chemometric Evaluation, and LC-MS/MS-Based Phytochemical Identification: Elephant Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Ethanolic Extract
Keywords:
Elephant ginger, Ethanol extraction, Phenolics, Antioxidant activity, LC–MS/MS, HPLC, Elephant ginger, Ethanol extraction, Phenolics, Antioxidant activity, LC-MS/MS, HPLCAbstract
This study investigated the effects of solvent concentration and extraction technique on the antioxidant properties and phytochemical profile of elephant ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Extracts were prepared using maceration and reflux with 70% and 96% ethanol, and their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), β-carotene bleaching (BCB), and phosphomolybdenum (PM) assays. Extracts obtained with 96% ethanol exhibited the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacities, indicating that less aqueous solvents more effectively extract medium-polar constituents. Correlation analysis showed strong associations between phenolic levels and redox-based assays, supported by thin layer chromatogram (TLC) visualization of phenolic and antioxidant-responsive bands. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) profiling identified several bioactive metabolites, including ferulic acid, α-linolenic acid, oleamide, and glyceride derivatives. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis confirmed ferulic acid as a key phenolic marker in the optimized maceration extract. These findings demonstrated that high-ethanol concentration enhances the recovery of antioxidant-active compounds in elephant ginger.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Extraction with 96% ethanol enhanced phenolic and flavonoid recovery from Zingiber officinale
- Optimized maceration (96% ethanol, 40 min) produced the highest antioxidant activity across multiple assays.
- Antioxidant responses varied in relation to total phenolic and flavonoid contents.
- LC-MS/MS profiling revealed diverse semi-polar metabolites, including ferulic acid and fatty acid derivatives.
- HPLC enabled quantitative determination of ferulic acid in the optimized maceration extract.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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