Physico-chemical and natural products investigations of essential oil from the rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga L.

摘要

The essential oil isolated from the rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga L. was tested for physicochemical properties and some natural products. The oil was isolated by hydro-distillation method with a yield of 0.52% (v/w). The physicochemical properties namely physical appearance, odor, density, refractive index, acid value, free fatty acids, saponification value, ester value, glycerol contents and iodine value were determined and found to be yellow liquid, aromatic, 0.8791 g/cm3, 1.478, 1.12 mg KOH/g, 0.56%, 190.77 mg KOH/g, 189.65 mg KOH/g, 10.38%, 2.28 g/100g respectively. The oil was tested for several natural products to evaluate its therapeutic potential. The results showed the oil is suitable for making bath soaps, cosmetics and perfumery products.