Abstract:
Genetic variation of Zingiber zerumbet was determined by a RAPD technique using 7 arbitrary
primers, and ITS, trnL intron and trnL-F spacer sequences. The RAPD results showed
intraspecific genetic variation (mean He±SD: 0.2297±0.0365 and % polymorphic bands:
62.86%). In addition, results of ITS, trnL intron and trnL-F spacer sequences revealed 856
variable sites, 451 nucleotide transitions and 147 nucleotide transverstions. The intraspecific
genetic variation was also detected in moderate level with the value of 1.032. Moreover, a
neighbor-joining tree generated from RAPD was divided into two main groups, similar
to the result of the gene sequence analysis. Significant differences in biological activities
among tested samples of Z. zerumbet in the area were found. The antioxidant activities
of the ethanolic extracts were determined by FIC and ABTS assay. It showed significantly
different abilities in chelating ferrous ion and antioxidant activities (P-vaule<0.05). Moreover,
the ethanolic extracts of the tested samples were significantly different effective against both
gram negative and positive bacteria (P-vaule<0.05): Esherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus
cereus, Stapphylococcus aureus.