Trends and multidisciplinary research of torch ginger [Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm.]: A systematic review.

Indo-Pacific Region has a rich diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants. Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) from the Zingiberaceae family in exemplary, is one of the valuable sources for condiment, ornamental and medicinal purposes. This perennial herb can be found growing in clumps of aromatic rhizomes with their distinctive inflorescences, borne on erect stalks and showy bracts. Their torch-like flowers are edible, usually appeared during the second year of cultivation and continuous harvesting is feasible for the flower production. The varieties of torch ginger with pink-color flowers are often cultivated compared to white and red flower varieties due to the market demand. Interestingly, almost every part of this herb produces certain percentages of beneficial phytochemicals. In this review, the botanical aspects of torch ginger as well as their progresses in usage and properties in different forms as fresh, extract and essential oils have been conversing with respect to their plant parts. Major compounds found in torch ginger are phenols, polyphenols, flavonoids and terpenoids. Those compounds correlate with the significant health benefits of torch ginger such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, antihyperuricemic, antiallergic, cytotoxicity, antidiabetic as well as their cosmeceutical potential in skin care application. Moreover, the prominent pharmacological activities of this herb with particular attention to the chemical composition also have been uncovered, suggesting the substantial medicinal benefits of torch ginger.

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) contains secondary metabolites that have antibacterial potential. The production of torch ginger extract in Indonesia is still limited. However, market demand increase because pharmaceutical industry is starting to use the torch ginger extract. Furthermore, the growing utilization of torch ginger will enhance the economy of torch ginger farmers. This study aims to compare the extraction efficiency of maceration and soxhletation methods in obtaining bioactive compounds from torch ginger using ethanol, methanol and n-hexane as solvents. The results showed that in the maceration method, ethanol solvent produced the highest yield of 15%, methanol 7% and n-hexane 3%. In soxhletation method, ethanol and methanol solvents produced yields of 15% and 13% respectively, higher than n-hexane only 1%. Overall, soxhletation method with ethanol solvent was the best condition for torch ginger extraction. GC-MS characterization showed the presence of bioactive compounds such as 2-Chloropropionic acid, Boric acid trimethyl ester, Silane dimethoxymethyl and Octadecanoic acid methyl ester which contribute to the antibacterial activity in torch ginger essential oil.

The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activities of essential oils (EO) and spice extracts of the plants popularly used in Thai cuisines, namely galangal (Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Stuntz.), finger root (Boesenbergia pandurata Roxb.), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates) and torch ginger (Etlingera elatior). The plant extracts were prepared using steam distillation, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and conventional Soxhlet extraction techniques. Results demonstrated that galangal extracted by SFE and Soxhlet extraction techniques showed stronger antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes than those of finger root, lemongrass and torch ginger, respectively. Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, as well as Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, such as S. aureus and L. monocytogenes, were sensitive to lemongrass EO.

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) is a herbaceous plant from Southeast Asia, traditionally used as herbal medicine by local people due to its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. Despite its various benefits, this plant has struggled to enter the market because it has not been cultivated on a large scale. Therefore, the opportunity for commercial cultivation of this plant remains wide open. Tuban Regency is a potential agricultural district in Java, strategically positioned on the main road between Central Java Province and East Java Province. Unfortunately, little research has been conducted on land suitability evaluation in Tuban Regency’s agricultural areas. This research aimed to evaluate land suitability for torch ginger cultivation in Tuban Regency. Based on the studies conducted, agricultural land in Tuban Regency is quite fertile, but adequate irrigation is necessary to help the plants survive during the dry season. Torch ginger naturally grows in densely vegetated areas with sufficient water availability. Therefore, cultivating torch ginger in Tuban requires several special treatments, such as maintaining water availability, providing shade and mulch to regulate temperature and humidity, applying phosphorus and organic fertilizers to address phosphorus fixation in limestone soil, and using growth regulators like paclobutrazol to overcome flowering inhibition. From the various literature that has been studied, it was found that the land in the Northern Limestone Mountains of Tuban Regency, is quite fertile and suitable for agricultural land.

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) young inflorescences have been widely used in local cuisines and traditional medicine in South-East Asia. Due to the traditional use of the flowers in various Malaysian dishes, their antioxidant activity should be studied. Furthermore, it is also important to determine the crop performance for high quality flower production. Fifteen selected torch ginger accessions from MARDI germplasm collection were grown in two locations namely Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan and Jerangau, Terengganu. The aim was to estimate the genotype by environment interaction and the stability of yield performance and antioxidant activity of the accessions across two locations. Genotype plus Genotype by Environment interaction (GGE) biplot were used to determine the multivariate stability of GE interaction. The adopted technique provides a good reference for the identification of the torch ginger accession suitable for production under different ecological environments. Interactions of genotype and location effects are significant for all the traits including yield and antioxidant activity, and these may contribute towards improvement in breeding for high antioxidant production.

Etlingera elatior is tropical ornamental plant commonly called “torch ginger” from Zingiberaceae family. Conventional breeding of E. elatior is limited by cross incompatibility, poor fruit set and low seed production. In this study irradiation of E. elatior with Gamma ray performed to induce mutation. This study was aimed to increase morphological diversity and to obtain unique morphological characters to increase the aesthetic value of E. elatior as ornamental plants and cut flower. Two genotypes of E. elatior, red and white flowers, were tested. The LD20, LD35, and LD50 were determined following intermittent (split dose) Gamma irradiation with a two-hour gap between each gamma ray shot. Red genotype E. elatior explants were irradiated with dose of 3 + 3 Gy (LD20); 4 + 4 Gy (LD35) and 5 + 5 Gy (LD50); white genotype were irradiated with a dose of 2 + 2 Gy (LD20); 2.8 + 2.8 Gy (LD35) and 3.7 + 3.7 Gy (LD50). Non-irradiated explants were set as control. The results of this study indicated that the increase in dose of gamma ray irradiation changed shoot length and number of leaves in the red genotype per explant as compared to control. Morphological changes occurred in leaf shape at 5 + 5 Gy and 3.7 + 3.7 Gy and formation of variegated leaves at 2.8 + 2.8 Gy and 5 + 5 Gy. Keywords: mutation breeding, ornamental plant, split irradiation dose, torch ginger, Zingiberaceae

Ethanol extract of torch ginger’s flower (Etlingera elatior) is rich in active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins, steroids. Flavonoids are bioactive compounds that serve as antioxidants and antibacterials. This study aims to find the antibacterial activity of solid soap with torch ginger’s flower extract against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. This study includes the preparation of simplicia, extracts, moisture content, total ash levels, insoluble acid ash levels, water soluble extract levels. The first evaluation includes organoleptic test, pH, irritation, and stability. The formulation of the tested soap preparations was 5%, 7.5%, 10%. The data analysis was performed with ANOVA. The results of this study revealed that its ethanolic extract had a moderate category of bacterial resistance against S.aureus where in FI (5%) has a clear zone with 7 mm in diameter, FII (7.5%) 8.3 mm and FIII (10%) 10.4 mm.Furthermore,for P.aeruginosa, it has a moderate clear zone with diameter in FI (5%) is 8.86 mm, FII (7.5%) is 9.73 mm, and FIII is 10.6 mm. Torch ginger’s flower ethanolic extract had anantibacterial activity against S.aureus and P.aeruginosa with the widestclear zone is in the FIII (10%, v/v) in the number of 10.4 mm against S.aureus and 10.6 mm against P.aeruginosa with moderate resistance category.

Aims: The main objective of this study is to quantify the genetic variability and relationship among the quantitative traits of the torch ginger germplasm collected across Peninsular Malaysia.
 Study design: Initially, the experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) but there were unequal number of replications due to limited planting materials.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Research Station, Jerangau, Terengganu, Malaysia on latitude 04°57.704’N and longitude 103°11.007’E. Data on agro-morphological characterization were collected for three years from June 2010 until May 2013.
 Methodology: A total of 57 torch ginger accessions were collected from various wild/ cultivated sources from seven states of Peninsular Malaysia namely Terengganu (19), Perak (15), Kedah (7), Johor (6), Pahang (5), Kelantan (3) and Melaka (2). The collection was planted in 2009 and maintained as living collection. At three months old torch ginger plantlets were transplanted into 20 cm × 20 cm × 20 cm holes spaced at 100 cm diameter of culvert. The spacing of culvert between rows and within rows were 2 m respectively. Initially, the experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) but there were unequal number of replications due to limited planting materials. Data on agro-morphological characterization were collected for three years from June 2010 until May 2013. All the 57 accessions were characterized according to descriptors list of genera under Zingiberaceae family with some modifications. A total of 6 qualitative and 16 quantitative descriptors were used. The mean values of each quantitative trait data were computed and subjected to statistical analysis to assess the amount of genetic variation using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The ANOVA was using PROC GLM of SAS 9.4 software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Genotypic coefficients of variation and error variance were estimated using PROC VARCOMP method Type I of SAS 9.4 software. Phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic advance were calculated. Pearson correlation coefficient was determined using SAS 9.4 for comparing the relationship among the different traits. The morphological traits were analyzed by numerical taxonomic methods via cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) which was done using NTSYS-PC Version 2.1. PCA based on 16 quantitative and six qualitative traits was performed to determine the genetic variation in the torch ginger accessions. The cluster and PCA were performed to reveal clustering and grouping pattern of torch ginger accessions. Euclidean distance coefficients were estimated for all pairs of accessions, which was then used to present cluster analysis.
 Results: Analysis of variance indicated that highly significant variation exists among the 57 accessions for most of the traits. The 57 accessions of torch ginger showed high variability for both qualitative and quantitative traits. Among the quantitative traits, the highest CV was observed from number of spikes with the value of 44.25%. The genetic coefficient of variation for 16 morphological traits ranged from 9.76 to 45.86%. Broad sense heritability estimates varied from low to high. Maximum estimates of broad sense heritability were recorded in bract length (80.16%), bud peduncle length (78.74%), number of leaves (75.66%), number of stems per clump (67.99%), inflorescence peduncle length (67.60%) and bud width (65.11%). The genetic advance (GA) in percent of mean was recorded from 11.82 to 67.97%. Besides that, positive correlation coefficient was obtained between some traits. Generally, the genotypes groups were related with morphological characteristics among the accessions.
 Conclusion: Considering the distribution pattern, vegetative and yield performance of accessions, it is suggested that accessions from cluster VII (KAN022, KAN047 and KAN048) should be selected for future breeding program. These accessions possessed the highest peduncle length that could influence the yield in terms of bud size. Furthermore, the classification and divergence between torch ginger accessions analyzed in this study may assist in conserving plant materials both in-situ and ex-situ.

Abstract. Lutfia A, Munir E, Yurnaliza. 2020. Molecular identification of endophytic fungi from torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) antagonist to phytopathogenic fungi. Biodiversitas 21: 2681-2689. Medicinal plants are valuable sources in exploration of endophytic microorganisms. The utilization of culturable endophytes, particularly endophytic fungi in pharmacological aspects has been reported in many literature. Zingiberaceae, being known as one of medicinal plant families, is commonly used in tropical countries, e.g Indonesia to treat health disorders and ailments. However, little information has been reported upon their associative endophytic fungi that may be used as biocontrol agents against phytopathogenic fungi. Efforts to elaborate on the symbiotic relationship between endophytic fungi and host to explain the antifungal ability from endophytes are presented in this study. Six fungal morphotypes were recovered from the rhizome fragment of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) RM Smith) sampled from Sibayak forest, North Sumatra, Indonesia. All isolates displayed potential antifungal activities against Fusarium oxysporum, Ganoderma boninense, and Rigidoporus lignosus as representative phytopathogens in a dual culture plate assay. All fungal morphotypes were identified based on their 18S rDNA-ITS regions. Molecular identification revealed that most isolates were related to Trichoderma spp. while one isolate was identified as Pestaliotopsis sp. The endophytic assemblage of mostly Trichoderma strains in our study may reveal a mutual relationship of these soil fungi as root colonizer displaying biocontrol properties against phytopathogenic fungi to host.

Background: Previous research highlighted the photoprotective potential of various extracts from torch ginger leaves, but the efficacy of ethanolic extracts, particularly from leaves and other plant parts, remained unexplored.
 Objective: This study aimed to assess the total phenolic content and SPF value of ethanolic extracts from torch ginger leaves, flowers, and stems, comparing these with a known photoprotective agent, oxybenzone.
 Method: Ethanolic extraction was performed on approximately 200 grams of each plant part. The total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, while SPF values were measured spectrophotometrically between 290 and 320 nm. Statistical analysis involved Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by post-hoc Fisher's LSD.
 Results: The leaf extract exhibited the highest phenolic content (483.788 ± 2.57 mg GAE/g) and SPF value at 1000 ppm, surpassing that of flowers, stems, and the positive control, oxybenzone. The correlation between phenolic content and SPF value across plant parts was statistically significant.
 Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of torch ginger leaves shows superior photoprotective potential, indicated by its high phenolic content and SPF value, suggesting its promising application in natural sunscreen formulations up to the permissible active substance limit of 6% set by BPOM.

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) flowers are well known for their antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, however, the active compounds are still unknown. The purpose of this study was to conduct GC-MS-based metabolite profiling of torch ginger flower and identify compounds correlated with its S. aureus antibacterial activity using Orthogonal Projection to Latent Structure (OPLS). Using the well diffusion method, the antibacterial activity of ethanol extract, hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions with a concentration of 80 mg/mL were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction inhibited S. aureus growth the most (diameter of inhibition zone, DIZ 13.00–13.20 mm), while the hexane (DIZ 9.55–10.05 mm) and chloroform (DIZ 10.00–11.00 mm) fractions had moderate inhibitory activity, but the ethanol extract had no antibacterial effect. Using OPLS analysis, the GC-MS metabolite profile of all extracts and fractions was linked with the profile of antibacterial activity. This analysis revealed that Dodecanoic acid, 5-Tetradecene, and n-Hexadecanoic acid were identified as the compounds that were significantly connected with antibacterial activity.

Torch ginger ( Etlingera elatior ), a herbaceous plant in the family Zingiberaceae, is commonly cultivated in the tropical climate of southern Thailand. However, its cultivation faces significant challenges from anthracnose, a destructive disease caused by the Colletotrichum genus. This study aimed to identify and characterise Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose on torch ginger. Field surveys were conducted in a major torch ginger‐growing area in Phatthalung Province, southern Thailand, and symptomatic flower samples were collected for pathogen isolation and identification. Fungal isolates were subjected to pathogenicity tests, revealing that five isolates—EeR01.1, EeR01.2, EeR02.1, EeR02.2 and EeW01—caused symptoms similar to those observed in natural infections. The fungi were re‐isolated, and their morphological characteristics matched those of Colletotrichum . Morphological characteristics, coupled with DNA sequences of actin ( act ), calmodulin ( cal ), glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase ( gapdh ), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and β‐tubulin2 ( tub2 ) regions identified five isolates as Colletotrichum atlanticum . Based on the results of this study, this is the first report of torch ginger as a new host of C. atlanticum in Thailand. This research highlights the precise diagnosis of pathogens and the necessity to find effective disease management strategies to control anthracnose on torch ginger production in southern Thailand.

Background: The development of functional foods has encouraged innovation in traditional Indonesian products so that they provide not only nutritional value but also physiological health benefits. Dawet ayu, a starch-based traditional beverage, has potential to be developed into a functional drink by incorporating natural antioxidant sources, one of which is torch ginger (Etlingera elatior). Aim: This study aimed to develop dawet ayu as a traditional functional beverage with high antioxidant activity through the addition of torch ginger flower powder. Methods: The powder was produced using the foam-mat drying method to preserve bioactive compounds and was then applied in dawet formulations at various concentrations. The analyzed parameters included pH, color (L*, a*, b*), and antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. Results: The results showed that the addition of torch ginger powder had no significant effect on the color and pH of dawet ayu, but significantly increased antioxidant activity, with the IC₅₀ value decreasing from 739.3 ppm to 100.2 ppm at the highest concentration. The increase in antioxidant activity was attributed to the phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin compounds present in torch ginger. These findings indicate that dawet ayu enriched with torch ginger powder has strong potential as a locally sourced functional beverage with both health and economic benefits. This product can be further developed as a natural-based functional drink.

Grilled beef processed with high temperature has the potential to form toxic compounds that are mutagenic and carcinogenic. This can be prevented by using beef cuts with low-fat content and antioxidant-rich spices, such as torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) flower. This study is aimed to analyze the physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of grilled beef using different beef cuts and application of torch ginger flower in seasoning. Tenderloin and brisket cuts were chosen to represent the low fat and high fat content of the meat. The beef was seasoned with torch ginger flower as one of ingredients for marinade and for dipping sauce, and cooked using grilling method. This study was designed using randomized block design (CRD) with 2 × 6 factorial pattern, consisting of two beef cuts and six seasoning methods with three blocks of the samples manufacturing periods. The differences in beef cuts used to cook grilled beef were related to pH value, water, protein, fat, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The use of tenderloin cuts featured lower MDA levels (p ≤ 0,05) than brisket cuts. Tenderloin cuts MDA content was 3,76 mg/kg while brisket cuts had MDA content of 1,67 mg/kg. The application of torch ginger flower in seasoning can increase water content and antioxidant activity while also reduce MDA levels in grilled beef. Soaking of beef in seasoning marinade without torch ginger flower and dipping sauce with the addition of torch ginger flower has resulted to the highest (p ≤ 0,05) antioxidant capacity (135,19 mg EVC g-1), which is more effective compared to other seasoning modes.

Fifty-seven accessions of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) collected from seven states in Peninsular Malaysia were evaluated for their molecular characteristics using ISSR and SSR markers to assess the pattern of genetic diversity and association among the characteristics. Diversity study through molecular characterization showed that high variability existed among the 57 torch ginger accessions. ISSR and SSR molecular markers revealed the presence of high genetic variability among the torch ginger accessions. The combination of different molecular markers offered reliable and convincing information about the genetic diversity of torch ginger germplasm. This study found that SSR marker was more informative compared to ISSR marker in determination of gene diversity, polymorphic information content (PIC), and heterozygosity in this population. SSR also revealed high ability in evaluating diversity levels, genetic structure, and relationships of torch ginger due to their codominance and rich allelic diversity. High level of genetic diversity discovered by SSR markers showed the effectiveness of this marker to detect the polymorphism in this germplasm collection.