Antioxidant and antidiabetic compounds identification in several Indonesian underutilized Zingiberaceae spices using SPME-GC/MS-based volatilomics and in silico methods

This study aimed to identify compounds in 12 minor Zingiberaceae spices grown in Indonesia linked with in vitro alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC) activities using SPME-GC/MS volatilomics. The results illustrated that Zingiber aromaticum Val., Alpinia malaccensis (Burm.f.) Roscoe, Amomum compactum Sol. ex Maton, and Zingiber purpureum Roscoe had the highest alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC antioxidant activities, respectively. Also, the total phenolic content positively influenced DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC antioxidant activities. The strongest positive correlation with alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and DPPH antioxidant activities was found in eucalyptol; whereas o-cymene and terpinen-4-ol had the strongest correlations with FRAP and CUPRAC antioxidants, respectively. Furthermore, the molecular docking analysis revealed that all compounds with a strong correlation with alpha-glucosidase inhibitor activity (based on their OPLS VIP score) had binding energies (-5.06 - -6.26 kcal/mol) close to Acarbose (-10.11 kcal/mol). Thus, this study provided vital information on the volatile compounds in underutilized spices associated with their health beneficial properties.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify compounds in minor Zingiberaceae spices grown in Indonesia that are linked with antioxidant and alpha-glucosidase inhibitor activities. The results showed that Zingiber aromaticum Val., Alpinia malaccensis (Burm.f.) Roscoe, Amomum compactum Sol. ex Maton, and Zingiber purpureum Roscoe exhibited the highest antioxidant and alpha-glucosidase inhibitor activities. Furthermore, the total phenolic content positively influenced the antioxidant activities.