IIUM Repository

Exploring the potential of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) as ornamental, medicinal plant, and food products

Yunus, Muhamad Fahmi (2021) Exploring the potential of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) as ornamental, medicinal plant, and food products. In: The International Conference on Underutilized Crop (ICUC), Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia. (Unpublished)

[img]
Preview
PDF
Download (404kB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF
Download (7MB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF
Download (352kB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF
Download (443kB) | Preview

Abstract

Torch ginger or Etlingera elatior which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family is one of the most commonly known species of Etlingera. Torch ginger is popular in Southeast Asia where its inflorescences have various purposes in ornamental, medicinal and culinary. Due to its beautiful appearance, it is widely marketed as a promising ornamental plant. For ornamental industry, it is always necessary to produce new and different cultivars with appeal for cut flower. This could be achieved through different techniques such as intensive germplasm collection, hybridization programme and plant biotechnology. Besides, every part of torch ginger can be used as a material source in preparing traditional medicines. For instance, the extract from its stem is used to reduce swelling, the leaves are used by post-partum women and the fruits are used as treatment for earache, diarrhoea, coughs, and mouth sores. In addition, torch ginger has been reported to have high nutritional and phytochemicals properties. Findings of phytochemicals has led to the research for pharmacological activities, cosmetic products, and green nanotechnology of torch ginger. In Thailand, the flower and leaf extracts has been successfully tested for whitening cream. Interestingly, the product is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, which make it a good choice compared to the synthetic ingredients. Meanwhile, researchers in Malaysia have developed an eco-friendly and economical reducing agent from aqueous extract of torch ginger inflorescence, which can be used in green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). It is suggested that torch ginger can be planted into industrial scale and abundance of potentials make this plant as a perfect candidate for the plant of the future.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Invited Papers)
Additional Information: 93426/9017
Uncontrolled Keywords: Keywords: Inflorescences, ornamental, medicinal, phytochemicals, culinary
Subjects: Q Science > QK Botany
S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
S Agriculture > SB Plant culture
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Science > Department of Plant Science
Depositing User: Dr Muhamad Fahmi Yunus
Date Deposited: 07 Dec 2021 11:30
Last Modified: 07 Dec 2021 11:30
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/93426

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year