ABSTRACT
The essential oils obtained from the aerial parts (stems, leaves and flowers) of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm. of Vietnamese origin were subjected to analyses by GC and GC/MS. About 40 compounds have been identified in the stem and leaf oils of this species, accounting for more than 84% and 82% of the oils, respectively. The major components of these oils appeared to be (Z)-nerolidol (16.8% and 22.3%, respectively), β-caryophyllene (10.4%, 11.2%), zerumbone (21.3%, 2.4%), and trans-phytol (7.0%, 12.6%). Predominant minor constituents included β-pinene (5.4%, 5.2%), α-humulene (2.5%, 2.9%), caryophyllene oxide (1.1%, 5.5%) and linalool (1.1%, 2.4%). The volatile flower oil was found to contain more than 60 components, of which 45 compounds, making up 85% of the oil, have been identified. (Z)-nerolidol (36.3%) and β-caryophyllene (13.2%) were the major constituents.