Estimation of Pungency in Fresh Gingers: A New Fluorimetric Assay

A method based on the measurement of fluorescence at 481.6 nm was developed for the estimation of gingerols, the major pungent compounds of fresh ginger. This procedure was used for monitoring changes, if any, in the pungency of fresh ginger rhizomes during storage. Good correlation between the fluorimetric method presently developed and the routinely used standard thin-layer chromatographic-densitometric method was noted at each of the time points analyzed. Use of fluorimetric assay for routine and rapid estimation of gingerols in ginger is proposed.