The main pungent principles and essential oils of West Indian ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) were identified and quantified by liquid chromatography. The stationary phase used was (5.0 g silica gel 70-230 mesh) and the mobile phase [petroleum ether (60-80 degrees C):diethyl ether (3.7 v/v)] The first 15 mi contained the very volatile and least polar compounds present in the extracted oleoresin from the solar dried ginger rhizome. These compounds are the essential oils (R-f = 0.90) and 25.63% (w/w) of the total oleoresin charge to the column. The next 5 mi aliquot was without any compounds. The following 25 mi contained the shogaol fraction (R-f = 0.42) and 47.74% (w/w) of the total oleoresin charge to the column. The next 5 ml aliquot was without any compounds. The following 35 mi contained the gingerol fraction (R-f = 0.20) and 27.13% (w/w) of the total oleoresin charge to the column. TI:his simple liquid chromatography method can be used to investigate the essential oils and pungent principles of the extracted oleoresin from the solar dried ginger rhizomes.