EXTRACTION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUND CURCUMIN FROM TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA L.) VIA DIFFERENT ROUTES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

In this study, extraction of curcumin, the bioactive compound of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), through different extraction
methods was investigated. For this purpose, microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted and enzyme-assisted extractions were used
as modern extraction routes to extract curcumin from turmeric powder and some of their essential extraction parameters were
optimized; the results were compared to those obtained from Soxhlet extraction as the traditional and reference method. The
presence of curcumin in the extracted samples was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy and quantification of curcumin was
carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Result showed that the curcumin extraction yield using
Soxhlet method (6.9%) was considerably higher than those obtained from microwave-assisted (3.72%), ultrasound-assisted
(3.92%) and enzyme-assisted (4.1%) extractions; however, the highlighted features of advance extraction methods including
cost-effectiveness (due to much saving in time and energy consumption) and environmentally benign nature make them more
favorable extraction methods.