Curcumin Content Of Turmeric Powder 

1.1 Background of the Study

A typical plant contains mixture of compound called secondary metabolites. These are responsible for most plants‟ therapeutic activity. Up to 12,000 secondary metabolites were isolated as at 2006 and the number estimated to be less than 10% of the total (Tapsell et al., 2006). They work in diverse ways to produce combined effects that surpasses the total activity of the individual components. This could be by increasing the stability of the main active compound, reducing its side effects or having additive, potentiative or antagonistic effects on the active moiety. This is one of the differences between traditional medicine and the orthodox medicine (Shohawon and Mahomoodally, 2013). There is higher momentum for the use crude and/or standardised extract in the scientific community as opposed to single isolated single compound (Gurib-Fakim and Mahomoodally, 2013).

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a unique plant combining properties of a spice, colorant, cosmetic and a drug useful in a number of diseases. It is used as spice, herbal medicines, dyeing agents and cosmetics since vedic age (Salvi et al., 2000; Shirgurkar et al., 2001). The significance of turmeric in health and nutrition has greatly been recognized since the discovery of the pharmaceutical properties of naturally occurring phenolic compounds in it. It has been found that the dried rhizome of turmeric is a rich source of beneficial phenolic compounds known as the curcuminoids (Srinivasan, 1953; Lechtenberg et al., 2004). Curcuminoids are the most important components of turmeric, which refer to a group of phenolic compounds, chemically related to its principal ingredient, curcumin. Extensive investigation over the last five decades has indicated that curcumin reduces blood cholesterol, prevents LDL oxidation (Ramirez-Tortosa et al., 1999), inhibits platelet aggregation (Srivastava et al., 1995), suppresses thrombosis (Srivastava et al., 1985) and myocardial infarction (MI) (Dikshit et al., 1995), suppresses symptoms associated with type II diabetes (Srinivasan, 1972), rheumatoid arthritis (Deodhar et al., 1980), multiple sclerosis (Natarajan and Bright, 2002) and Alzheimer’s disease (Lim et al., 2001).

Curcuma longa Linn. (turmeric) belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. The plant has a lot of potential in terms of medicinal properties. Literature reveals its anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, hepatoprotective, blood-purifier, antioxidant, detoxifier and regenerator of liver tissue, antiasthmatic, anti-tumour, antiprotozoal, stomachic, carminative properties (Khare, 2007). It reduces high level of cholesterol in plasma. Its antiplatelet activity offers protection to heart and vessels. It also prevents DNA damage in lymphocytes (Khare, 2007). Several constituents present in this plant include curcumin (a flavonoid); demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, volatile oils like turmerone, atlantone, zingiberene, sesquiphellandrene, terpinolene, phellandrene, p-cymene, cineol, caryophyllene, nerolidol, curlone, dehydrozingerone, zerumbone, germacrene, activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, hypocholesterolemic, antibacterial, wound healing, antispasmodic, anticoagulant, antitumor and hepatoprotective. It is also a potent free radical scavenger, having superoxide anions, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activities (Maiti). HPTLC shows advantages of low operating cost, high sample throughput and need for minimum sample clean-up. Another major advantage is simultaneous application of several samples using small quantity of mobile phase. HPTLC makes scanning in situ and repeated detection of the chromatogram with the same or different parameters possible (Ansari et al., 2005).

Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of turmeric is responsible for its yellow color and serves as a measure of turmeric quality. Though dried or fresh rhizome of turmeric are usually free from adulteration, turmeric powder can be admixed with other curcuma species or their curcumin/volatile oil extracted matrices; foreign starches and artificial colors which serve as a cheaper substitute. The markets have both branded (packed) products by organized units and non-branded (loose) turmeric powders processed at retailers and small millers’ level, meeting the requirements of populations of different economic strata. The rules specified in the 2008 Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) of India prescribe quality standards for turmeric powder and restrict that it should be free from extraneously added foreign matters and artificial colors (PFA, 2008). Mixing of other Curcuma species (Sasikumar et al, 2004), extraneous starches (Govindrajan, 1980; Remya et al, 2004) and/ or artificial colors have been occasionally reported (Khanna et al, 1973; 1975; 1987; Dixit et al, 1995) and the admixed turmeric powders may show low curcumin content depending upon the extent of substitution (Balasubrahmanyam et al, 1979). It is against this backdrop that this study sought to assess the curcumin content of Turmeric Powder.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Turmeric is use in Nigeria for various ailments ranging from skin conditions; overweight; fibroid; liver diseases; diabetes and ulcers. A few studies on limited number of samples for curcumin analysis in turmeric powders are reported (Verghese, 1999; Tayyem et al, 2006) but no organized survey on market samples has been attempted. Therefore, the present study sought to determine the quality of turmeric powders vis a vis curcumin content. 

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to assess the curcumin content of Turmeric Powder. Specific objectives include;

i. To prepare turmeric powder from Turmeric plant rhizome

ii. To conduct compaction studies on turmeric powder

iii. To extract curcumin from turmeric powder 

1.4 Justification of the Study

Turmeric has been used in Asia for thousands of years and is a major part of Siddha medicine. It was first used as a dye and then later for its medicinal properties. Extensive research over the past 30 years has shown that it plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases (Prasad, 2014). In Nigeria Turmeric is used for various ailments without accurate dose. No literature has been found on tableting of crude turmeric powder in this country. Successful production of the tablets will provide a more convenient method of administration of the turmeric for the users.

 

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