Abstract

Curcuma zedoaria Berg (Zingiberaceae) has long been used as a folk medicine in Vietnam. The essential oils of its fresh and dried rhizomes were isolated by simultaneous steam-distillation. The essential oil and petroleum ether extract were investigated by GC-MS. The petroleum ether extract consisted mainly of sesquiterpenoids: Curzerene (34,27 ± 2,02%), γ-Elemene (15,23 ± 1,25%) while dominated substances in essential oil were γ Elemene ((14,18 ± 1,37)% - (18,79 ± 1,45)%), Curzerene ((14,28 ± 1,99)% - (16,67 ± 2,06)%), Germacrone (22,53 ± 2,18% - (24,28 ± 2,19)%). Antioxidant activities of the prepared essential oils, obtained by Ferric Thyocianate method, were pretty high ((74,8 ± 1,1)% - (77,8 ± 0,7)%) at the concentration of 20mg/ml while petroleum ether extract had highest activities ((61,4 ± 0,80% - (84,5 ± 1,2)%) in the concentration range 5,0-20,0mg/ml. The obtained results showed a remarkable difference in the composition of sesquiterpenoid between Curcuma zedoaria from Vietnam and from other regions.