Saey ACS SF 2017

Isolation of Curcuminoids from Turmeric Curcuma longa

Curcumin is a secondary plant metabolite of the turmeric herb Curcuma longa. The term "curcumin" has been used to refer to the bioactive molecule, but in reality curcumin has three derivatives of different molecular structures: curcumin (C), demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC). Together, the aforementioned compounds are known as curcuminoids. A review of literature suggests that curcuminoids have chemotherapeutic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity, among other uses to be discovered. However, difficulty arises when seeking to study these curcuminoids individually. Curcumin is commercially available (10 mg for $150), while demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) are not commercially available. Our current research project aims to isolate (methanol in soxhlet), purify (automated Flash/HPLC), and characterize (NMR) the curcuminoids for further investigation.