Compound Monograph
Zingiberene
Zingiberene is the predominant sesquiterpene of ginger essential oil and a major contributor to its aroma.
Sources · 2
Where Does It Come From?
Zingiberene is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene, found in Ginger and 1 other source. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Concentration
Content by Source
Concentrations not reported. No percent-dry-weight or mg/g figures have been published for this compound in its source plants.
Research & Evidence
Zingiberene is a monocyclic sesquiterpene and typically the most abundant component of the essential oil of ginger (Zingiber officinale), to which it lends much of its characteristic aroma. It is the compound for which the genus is effectively named. As a volatile terpene of a common culinary spice it has been examined in preclinical aroma and bioactivity studies, but little is firmly established about effects of the isolated compound in humans.
Toxicity & Safety
As a major flavor component of ginger, a widely consumed food, zingiberene is generally regarded as having low toxicity at dietary levels. Concentrated essential oils should be handled with the usual care given to volatile terpenes.
