Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm. from Vietnam

The essential oils obtained from the aerial parts (stems, leaves and flowers) of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm. of Vietnamese origin were subjeeted 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% and22.3%, respectively), ~-caryophyllene (10.4%,11.2%), zerumbone (21.3%,2.4%), and trans-phytol (7.0%,12.6%). Predominant minor constituents included ~-pinene (.5.4%, 5.2%), a-bumulene (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 ~-caryophyllenc (13.2%) were the major constituents.