Ginger contains up to 3% of a fragrant essential oil whose main constituents are sesquiterpenoids, with (−)-zingiberene as the main component. Smaller amounts of other sesquiterpenoids (β-sesquiphellandrene, bisabolene, and farnesene) and a small monoterpenoid fraction (β-phelladrene, cineol, and citral) have also been identified.
Gurib-Fakim, Ameenah, et al. "Essential oil composition of Zingiberaceae species from Mauritius." Journal of Essential Oil Research 14.4 (2002): 271-273.
| Serial No. | Compound Name | Compound Percentage(%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geranial | 16.30 |
| 2 | Neral | 10.30 |
| 3 | Zingiberene | 9.50 |
| Serial No. | Compound Name | Compound Percentage(%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sesquiphellandrene | 6.30 |
| 2 | Ar-Curcumene | 5.10 |
| 3 | E,E-Farnesol | 4.10 |
| 4 | Borneol | 4.70 |
| 5 | Geraniol | 3.10 |
| 6 | Alpha-Terpineol | 3.30 |
| 7 | Beta-Bisabolene | 3.0 |
| 8 | Cineole | 2.0 |
| 9 | E-E-Alpha-Farnesene | 2.40 |
| 10 | Geranyl Acetate | 2.20 |
| 11 | Citronellol | 1.30 |
| 12 | Epi-Alpha-Bisabolol | 1.50 |
| 13 | Epi-Alpha-Muurolol | 1.90 |
| 14 | Gamma-Cadinene | 1.80 |
| 15 | Linalool | 1.20 |
| 16 | Beta-Phellandrene | 1.70 |
| 17 | Spathulenol | 1.40 |
| 18 | (E)-Nerolidol | 0.60 |