Lakshmi S. R. Arambewela,* and Menuka Arawwawala, Noel L. Owen and Bruce Jarvis,

Abstract: The volatile oil of rhizomes of Alpinia galanga (Family: Zingiberaceae) was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Sixteen compounds accounting for 87% of the essential oil were identified. The major constituent was zerumbone (44.8%). This is the first report of zerumbone in A. galanga and the composition of A. galanga rhizome oil of Sri Lankan origin.

Alpinia galanga Willd.(Family: Zingiberaceae) grows in Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and several other countries (1,2). It is commonly known as ‘‘greater galanga’’ and reported to be used as emmenagogue, aphrodisiac, abortifacient, carminative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and in the treatment of bronchitis, heart diseases, chronic enteritis, kidney stones, diabetes, rheumatism, etc. (1–5). Though chemical studies on this plant have been carried out (6–10) the chemical constituents of A. galanga grown in Sri Lanka are not known. Therefore, this study on the oil was undertaken.