THE DETERMINATION OF ETHYL P-METHOXY CINNAMATE IN KAEMPFERIA GALANGA L. RHIZOME EXTRACT HARVESTED IN RAINY AND DRY SEASONS

Abstract

Objective: Kaempferia galanga L. rhizome (KGR), has been empirically used in Indonesia, particularly by Javanese, to cure inflammation. KGR contains various secondary metabolites which explain its pharmacology activities, among them is ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC). However, due to the different seasons of our country, the yield of extraction is often unalike. In this work, we determined the percentage of yield (w/w), the water content (thermogravimetric method), and the concentration of EPMC in the Ethanol extract of Kaempferia galanga L. Rhizome (EEKG) harvested from the rainy (EEKG-R) and dry seasons (EEKG-D).

Methods: The sun-dried rhizomes were cold macerated for 3x24 h with 70% ethanol, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated at 40-45 °C until a viscous extract was obtained. The determination of EPMC in the extract was carried out using the RP-HPLC standard addition method. Detection was set at 308 nm; injection volume 20 µl; flow rate 1.0 ml/min. The column used is C18 (length 250 mm, internal diameter 4.6 mm, particle size 5 µm).

Results: The yield of EEKG-R (harvested in the rainy season) = 14.56% w/w, water content = 4.37%, and the EPMC = 0.01%. Meanwhile the yield of EEKG-D (harvested in the dry season) = 5.79% w/w, water content = 18.76%, and the EPMC = 0.001%.

Conclusion: Different climates affect the percentage yield and the quality of the extract. In our work, the EEKG-R (harvested in the rainy season) revealed a better quality compared to that of EEKG-D (harvested in the dry season) This study gives important information to standardize and optimize the harvest time of KG rhizomes for drugs development, which are strongly influenced by seasonal differences.