Researchers from Tezpur University, in collaboration with Abohtani Agro Producer Company and independent laboratories, have confirmed that Moran ginger from Upper Assam registers an estimated 106,750 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), placing it in the 'very highly pungent' category above 80,000 SHU.
The 2024 study, conducted on rhizomes grown at the Santipur-7 farm in Assam's Tinsukia district, found high concentrations of gingerol, volatile oil, and oleoresin. Analyses were performed using HPLC and ASTA methods. Results showed volatile oil content at 3.79%, oleoresin at 6.49%, and gingerol levels at 1.75% in fresh rhizomes, with approximately 27% in the extracted oleoresin. Shogaol content in the oleoresin was around 2%.
Researchers link these chemical profiles to the region's agro-climatic conditions and long-standing cultivation practices. Known locally as Moran ginger for generations, the variety has been used in cooking, traditional medicine, and artisanal spice production. Laboratory findings provide data supporting its strong, lingering heat and distinct aroma, which are attributed to elevated levels of compounds such as gingerol and zingiberene.
The study, published in the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, compared Scoville values of Moran ginger with other varieties. Researchers noted its potential for commercial applications. "This could be a game-changer for Assam's spice farmers, as Moran ginger can fetch higher prices for oleoresin and specialty products," said a senior researcher involved in the study. A grower from Tinsukia added, "With the right processing and branding, Moran could become a flagship product for Upper Assam."
Industry experts caution that developing the variety's economic potential will require measures such as quality certification, cold-chain infrastructure, and investment in processing facilities. Support for organic and identity-preserved cultivation, combined with farmer training, is seen as necessary to expand production while maintaining the variety's unique traits.
Researchers also stressed the importance of conserving local germplasm to preserve the genetic characteristics of Moran ginger for future use. With documented scientific data, stakeholders, including policymakers, processors, and farmers, may explore pathways to position Moran ginger as a higher-value product in both domestic and export markets through coordinated infrastructure and supply chain development.
Source: Northeast Now
