Standardization of Alpinia calcarata Roscoe rhizomes

BACKGROUND: Rhizomes of Alpinia calcarata Roscoe (Family: Zingiberaceae) possess several bioactivities and are used in the traditional medicinal systems of Sri Lanka. METHODS: The present investigation was carried out to standardize the rhizomes of A. calcarata by (a) screening for phytochemicals (b) determination of physico-chemical parameters and (c) development of a Densitogram. RESULTS: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, steroid glycosides and alkaloids in A. calcarata rhizomes. The percentages of moisture, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, ethanol extractable matter and water extractable matter were of 5.5 – 6.8, 8.3 – 8.8, 0.036 – 0.040, 7.2 – 7.8, 22.6 – 24.8 and 18.6 - 20.5 respectively. CONCLUSION: The results obtained from this study can be used to standardize rhizomes of A. calcarata grown in Sri Lanka.