Quality of various Fructus amomi in Fujian

The characteristics and volatile oil contents analyzed by means of GC/MS of several Fructus amomi found on the market in Fujian were compared.The results showed variations in their quality.Amomum villosum Lour.from Fangcheng,Guangxi,as well as Changtai and Yangchun,Fujian all contained the feature volatile oil.Their volatile oil contents met the national pharmacopeia standard.The main chemical constituents and characteristics of the volatile oil were similar.Thus,they can be used as a certified medicinal material.On the other hand,Alpinia japonica(Thunb.)Miq.from Longyan,Fujian was found significantly different in the oil content and chemical constituents.Thus,it was not recommended for medicinal applications.