The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the rhizomes of Alpinia conchigera and Alpinia latilabris were analysed by capillary GC and GC-MS; 50 compounds were identified in A. conchigera rhizome oil, among which 30 have not been detected previously. The major chemical class was terpenoids, with β β β β β-bisabolene (28.9%), 1,8-cineole (15.3%) and β β β β β-caryophyllene (10.0%) the major components. A. latilabris rhizomes yielded 33 identified constituents, the majority terpenoids, but the oil was clearly dominated by methyl (E)-cinnamate (89.5%).

Two new species of Boesenbergia, B. sugudensissp. nov. and B. truncatasp. nov. were discovered in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Boesenbergia sugudensis resembles B. imbakensis in that the leaf sheath of the plant is not thickened and in the anther thecae dehiscing by longitudinal slits, but differs in having a longer petiole and tubular calyx. Boesenbergia truncata resembles B. orbiculata by the short petiole and a bilobed calyx, but differs by the truncate leaf base, the acute leaf apex, opposite leaves with a narrower lamina parallel to the ground and anther thecae dehiscing by pores. The new species are described and illustrated in detail.

Mangifera pajang produces a fruit that is similar to mango, but characterized by brownish exterior colour that contained yellowish flesh and strong mangoish-turpentine aroma. This study identified the chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil extracted from flesh, peel and kernel of M. pajang. Different parts of M. Pajang were extracted using hydrodistillation and the essential oils obtained were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity was determined spectrophotometrically while the antimicrobial activity was evaluated using disc diffusion method. Total of 56 (flesh), 9 (peel) and 26 (kernel) volatile compounds were identified from the essential oil with the major component obtained were 3-methyl-4-cyclohexene (14.91 %), α-pinene (34.73 %) and linoleic acid (16.58 %), respectively. The essential oils extracted from different parts of the fruit displayed weak inhibition in antimicrobial activity. Antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging showed that essential oil from M. pajang peel displayed the highest antioxidant capacity. It is clear that the essential oils extracted from different parts of M. pajang possess beneficial phytochemicals that can contribute to human's health.

Recent botanical explorations in the province of Palawan, Philippines, have resulted in the discovery of two new ginger species, namely Boesenbergia eburnea Docot and Boesenbergia leonardocoi Funak. & Docot, which are described and illustrated here, including information on their distribution, habitat, phenology, ecology and conservation status. Additionally, a key to Boesenbergia species in the Philippines is provided.