GENUS ALPINIA, A POTENTIAL POWERHOUSE OF BIOACTIVE: A REVIEW
AbstractAlpinia is the largest and most taxonomically complex genus in the Zingiberaceae family. This includes about 230 species and widely spread throughout forests in tropical and subtropical Asia. Many of species are herbs and rich sources of bioactive compounds that extensively used in various purposes ranging from its use in culinary, prevention of diseases and ornamental purposes. There is no reported systematic method to differentiate many of the species within the genus particularly species used in medicinal preparations except heavily used ones. Many species in this genus could have the potentials to be utilized commercially due to valuable phytochemicals but never subjected to any kind of systematic study. Therefore, a proper morphological and physicochemical identification is a must to maintain sustainable exploration of many species of the genera. This review focuses on gathering information regarding genus Alpinia including morphological characteristics, phytochemicals, and their biological activities which provide information for further advance research work.
Article Information
1
2644-2653
674
2019
English
IJPSR
E. Kaliyadasa * and B. A. Samarasinghe
Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri Lanka.
ewon101k@yahoo.com
23 October 2018
13 January 2019
29 March 2019
10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.10(6).2644-53
01 June 2019
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