Phytochemical Screening of Etlingera elatior (Torch Ginger) Cultivated on Different Dosage of Biochar

Objective: This study was carried out with an objective to investigate the impact of biochar on phytochemical composition in plant especially Etlingera elatior cultivated on different dosage of biochar.

Methods: Etlingera elatior was cultivated on the pot with 20 cm diameter and 35 cm height. 3 replicates for pots of Etlingera elatior was cultivated and label as 0%, 5% and 20%. The ordinary farm soil without biochar (0%) as control, fertilized soil with biochar; 5% and 20%. In a net house and watered twice daily. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis was performed by using a non-polar BPX-5 capillary column with an initial temperature of 50°C hold for five minutes and then increased to 300°C at a rate of 5.0°C per minutes and hold 10 minutes. The biochar samples were analysed using an ATR-FTIR equipped with diamond crystal, controlled by OMNIC software (Thermo Nicolet Analytical Instruments, Madison, WI). A flat tip powder press was used to achieve even distribution and contact.

Results: The result showed significantly increased in the phytochemical composition with increase in the biochar concentration. At 0% phytol (13%), Hexadecanoic acid (9.76%), Neophytadiene (6.51%), coumarin (5.65%), precocene (5.27%) and caryophyllene (4.59%). At 5% are Dihydrocucurbitacin (13.69%), Niacinamide (11.02%), α-Limonene (10.01%), Phyrahen (9.23%), Phytol (7.24%) and Neophytadiene (5.75%) and at 20% Linoleic acid (39.98%), 2-pinen-4-ol (12.32%), Hexatriacontyl pentafluoropropionate (6.89%), Benzofuran (5.12%), Acethophenon (4.41%) and furfural (4.03%).

Conclusion: Application of biochar on soil can increase nutrient availability and enhance the development of phytochemical composition in plants. Without biochar, the chemical composition Etlingera elatior extract was slighlyt low. At 5% and 20% biochar, some compounds are increasing and new were obtained compared to 0% biochar. Most of the compounds known to be secondary metabolite which are rich in medicinal values. Thus, biochar could be used to increase the quantity and quality of phytochemicals in plant especially medicinal plants.