Philippine E-Journals

Essential elements in Etlingera elatior (Jack) R. M. Sm. And Etlingera philippinensis (Ridl.) R. M. Sm.

Gina B. Barbosa | Cresilda V. Alinapon | Analyn G. Gultiano

 

Abstract:

Despite the advancements contributed to botanical research, scientific attention on many Zingiberaceae plants in spite of their numerous health-promoting applications is still few. Existing reports mostly focus on the common species of Zingiberaceae specifically on the rhizomes, with less emphasis on Philippine endemic gingers such as Etlingera philippinensis (Ridl.) R. M. Sm. In this study, the concentration of essential elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni) in Etlingera elatior (Jack) R. M. Sm. and E. philippinensis leaves and rhizomes were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Among the essential elements, Cu was found highest in E. elatior leaves and E. philippinensis rhizomes. However, the identified levels of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Ni for these two zingiberaceaes indicate that all are below the permissible limit set by World Health Organization (WHO) for plants. Thus, this study ventures in the exploration of the baseline information on the essential element content of the less studied Philippine endemic E. philippinensis.