Ginger root
Ginger is the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, grown mainly in India, China, Nigeria and Peru. The trade sells it as dried, ground rhizome, as dry extracts standardized to gingerols, as solvent-extracted oleoresin and as steam-distilled essential oil. Food and supplement brands usually buy powder or a standardized extract; flavor houses buy oleoresin and oil, which carry the pungent and aromatic fractions respectively.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Washed, sliced, dried and milled rhizome, sold by mesh size. Not standardized, so pungency and gingerol content vary by origin and lot.
Ethanol or CO2 extract dried onto a carrier and sold with a minimum percentage of gingerols (sometimes gingerols plus shogaols) by HPLC.
Viscous solvent extract holding both the pungent compounds and the volatile oil, used in flavors and in softgel or liquid formats.
Steam-distilled volatile oil with the aroma but little of the pungency; bought by flavor and fragrance users.
Powder or extract from certified organic rhizome, with the organic certificate tied to each lot.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Keep powder and extracts in sealed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light. Volatile oil and pungency fall with heat and air exposure, so reseal opened bags and keep oleoresin in full, closed containers. Shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier's spec.
Gingerol and volatile oil content change with origin, harvest age and drying method, so check each lot's COA against your spec. Record origin, whether the lot was steam treated, and the retest date at receiving.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.10 lists ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 182.20 lists ginger among the plant sources of essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's natural health product monograph for ginger lists the dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale as the source material.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Kerrville, TX
Sells it as PurGinger
Applied Food Sciences is a Texas bulk ingredient company that sells branded botanical extracts, including green coffee, green tea, ginseng, ginger, turmeric, acerola and lion's mane, to food, drink and supplement makers only.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include dried rhizome powder, standardized extract, oleoresin, essential oil and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity (HPTLC or microscopy), gingerols assay (HPLC), volatile oil, heavy metals, microbiology and mycotoxins and residual solvents and moisture, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Keep powder and extracts in sealed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light. Volatile oil and pungency fall with heat and air exposure, so reseal opened bags and keep oleoresin in full, closed containers. Shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier's spec.
21 CFR 182.10 lists ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 lists ginger among the plant sources of essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. Health Canada's natural health product monograph for ginger lists the dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale as the source material.
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