ASIAN COLLEGE FOR ADVANCE STUDIES

(ACAS)
(Affiliated by Purbanchal University)

Satdobato, Lalitpur

Project on:
Turmeric powder (curcuma longa)

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Respected Sir; Pradip Patel
Mr. Ramesh Raj Padhaya Shirsha Upadhaya
Shivcharan Mandal
……………………………….. Sukesh Kumar Yadav
Signature Susmita Sapkota
4th semester
Bachelor in pharmacy

Date of submission:
2078/1/6
 Acknowledgement

Primarily, We would thank god for being able to complete this project successfully.
Then we would like to thanks our Chemistry of Natural Product (CNP) teacher
Mr. Ramesh Raj Padhaya whose valuable guidance has been the once that helped
us patch this project and make it success, his suggestion and instruction has served
as the major contribution towards the completion of the project.

Many Many thanks goes to our friends for their support and valuable suggestions
regarding on this project. Special thanks to Asian College for Advance Studies
which provided a platform for us to study B. Pharmacy and carryout the project.

Last but not the least we would like to thanks our parents, classmates and college for
providing us this opportunity.

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 Abstract

Turmeric is commonly known as curcuma longa is well known indigenous herbal

medicine traditionally used as spice in Indian and Nepali food. Turmeric is used in
India for thousands of years as a major part of Ayurvedic medicine. It was first used
as a dye and then later for its possible medicinal properties. Turmeric is traditionally
used as a spice and coloring in foods due to curcuminoids curcumin,
demethoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin as important chemical
constituents. Curcuma longa shows wide range of biological activities such as anti-
inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic,
cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and digestive activities. This Review expresses
the development of long from a traditional spice to a modern application in the
present period.

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 Table of Contents
Acknowledgement .................................................................................................... i
Abstract .................................................................................................................... ii
Introduction ..............................................................................................................1
Methodology .............................................................................................................2
Collection and Identification of Plant .....................................................................2
Macroscopical character .........................................................................................2
Microscopical study ................................................................................................3
Physical evaluation...................................................................................................4
Moisture content .....................................................................................................4
Ash value ................................................................................................................5
Extraction..................................................................................................................6
Chemical present:.....................................................................................................7
Phytochemical screening .........................................................................................8
Test for Alkaloids ...................................................................................................8
Saponin test .............................................................................................................9
Test for Resins ........................................................................................................9
Test for Tannins ......................................................................................................9
Conclusion...............................................................................................................10
References ...............................................................................................................11
Introduction
Curcuma longa linn commonly known as besar in local community of hilly reason
of Nepal where as it is also known as haldi or Indian saffron in terai and India.
Turmeric plant is perennial herb 60 to 90 cm height with a short steam and tufted
leaves. The rhizome which are short cultivated in tropical region of Asia. Its
rhizomes is known as turmeric are extensively use for anti-inflammatory, dye and
add flavor to food. Turmeric is also known as the “golden spice” as well as “spice
of life” because of its numerous diverse clinical uses without any adverse effect. The
plant is indigenous to south and south East Asia region. It is cultivated by harappan
civilization.
The derivative of Curcumin is curcuminoids (Curcuminoids is a linear
diarylheptanoid, polyphenolic molecules). The other two main forms of
curcuminoids are desmethoxycurcumin and bis-desmethoxycurcumin and it is
important for the yellow colour of turmeric. Curcumin has two tautomeric compound
form ketonic and enolic. The enolic group has more stability in the solid phase and
solution. Curcumin is a bright yellow colour compound and it is applied as a food
colouring agent. Curcumin has been acquired a wide range of pharmacological and
biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, wound
healing, anti-microbial and many others biological properties.

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Methodology
Methodology is "'a contextual framework' for research, a coherent and logical
scheme based on views, beliefs, and values, that guides the choices researchers [or
other users] make"

Collection and Identification of Plant

Curcuma longa (synonyms besar, haldi), locally called Besar in Nepal It is one of
the widely distributed plants in Nepal. Local people use this plant as spice In addition
to this, plant rhizome is used as anti –inflammatory and dye etc.

For our research we collected the required sample from our college premises and
prepared required parts of the plant for the making of herbarium sheet to get it
identified by Vanaspati Vibhag. Then we simply dried the rhizome of turmeric and
powdered them for the remaining process of identifying the macroscopical character,
Microscopical character, phytochemical screening, chemical evaluation, etc.

Macroscopical character
Colour:
Leaves: green
Rhizomes: brown
Flowers: white, yellow or pink
Powder: yellow
Odour: Aromatic pleasant
Taste: pungent and aromatic
Size: 60-90 cm height

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Microscopical study
Microscopical study of turmeric powder

Method of evaluation
 Firstly powder sample was taken in a glass slide where one drop of glycerine
reagent was placed.
 The sample was covered with cover slip and was observed under microscope.

Description
The powder is yellow with bitter taste. It includes powder, fibbers and small granules
of vessels.

Microscopic characters

Wet (10 ×) Wet (40 ×) Dry (10 ×)

Parenchyma
Spherical to granular cells in the form of grains.

Oleoresin crystal
Originally impregnated in parenchyma they become free powder and are found in
dispersed.

Vascular element
The large number of vessels elements either entire or in the form of fragments. They
show spiral pitted thickenings most of the elements are of vessel category and
tracheid are few and occasions.
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Physical evaluation
Moisture content
Presence of moisture in a crude drug can lead to its deterioration due to either
activation of certain enzymes or growth of microbes.
Moisture content can be determined by heating the drug at 150 oc in an
oven to a constant weight and calculating the loss of weight.

Procedures
At first weight of empty petri plate was noted and weight of sample powder was
weighed out. The weighed sample powder was placed into hot air oven for 30
minutes at 150oc. After 30 minutes the sample was taken out from the hot air oven
and its weight was noted down as fist reading and again the sample was placed in to
hot air oven and after 15 minutes the sample was weight as second reading and at
last again sample was place in the hot air oven and after 30 minute the weight was
taken as third reading. The process was must be continued until the constant reading
not obtained.

Calculation
Weight of petri plate: 45.28 gram
Weight of sample: 3.03 gram

Time Weight (gram)

30 minutes 47.95
15 minutes 47.87
15 minutes 47.87

Now, weight of moisture free powder = 48.31- 47.87

= 0.44 gram

Moisture content =0.44 / 3.03 × 100 %

= 14.52 %

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Ash value
The total ash is the residue remaining after incineration. The acid insoluble ash is
the part of the total ash which is insoluble in diluted hydrochloric acid. Ash
values are helpful in determining the quality and purity of the crude drugs in powder
form.
Procedure
At first, weight of the empty crucible is noted. About two grams of sample was
weighted and transferred into empty crucible and again transferred them into the
muffle furnace for 2 hours and then the sample was cooled down and weighted out.

Calculation
Weight of empty crucible = 25.23 gram
Weight of sample = 2.02 gram

After incineration,
Weight of crucible + ash = 26.87 gram
Weight of ash = 0.38 gram

Ash content = weight of ash / 2.02 grams of powder × 100

=0.38 / 2.02 × 100
= 18.81 %

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Extraction
Extraction can be defined as the process of removal of active nonstudent from plant
sources using suitable solvent.

Extraction of active constituent from turmeric powder using soxhlet apparatus:

Material required:
i. Condenser
ii. Round bottom flask
iii. Stand and clips
iv. Heating mantle
v. Soxhlet apparatus

Chemical required:
i. Sample ( turmeric powder)
ii. Ether

Procedure:
Firstly the soxhlet apparatus was taken, clean
and weight crude drug (turmeric powder) was
packed into thimble.
 Packed in to the central tube of the soxhlet apparatus.
 Known amount of solvent (ether) was poured in to RB flask and in condenser
water inlet and outlet pipe were fitted.
 RB flask was heated until the clear colour found in s-phone.
 After the clear colour was formed solution in RB flask was heated in water
bath until its half concentration.
Video link: https://youtu.be/narcXVg3xyM
Calculation:
Weight of sample = 50 gram
Extractive weight = 5 gram
Extractive value = Extractive weight / weight of sample × 100 %
= 5 / 50 × 100 %
= 10 %
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Chemical present:
a. Curcumin-I
b. Demethoxy Curcumin
c. Bis-Demethoxy Curcumin

Structures:

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Phytochemical screening
Phytochemical screening of turmeric powder

Apparatus required
i. Test-tube
ii. Water bath
iii. Dropper
iv. Measuring cylinder

Chemical required
i. Sample (extractive solution)
ii. Wagner reagent
iii. Ferric chlorides
iv. Hanger reagent
v. Molish’s reagent

Phytochemical screening
It refers to the extractive screening and identification of the medicinally active
substance found in the plant. Some of the bioactive substance that can be derived
from plants are flavonoids, alkaloids, carotenoids, tannins and resin.

Test for Alkaloids

Test Observation Result
Wagner reagent + Reddish brown colour Test was positive for
extracted sample in a test was produced presence of Alkaloids
tube and heated in water
bath
Molish reagent + extracted Violet colour ring was Test was positive for
sample in a test tube and formed presence of Alkaloids
heated in water bath

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Saponin test
Test Observation Result
5ml extract was mixed Formation of foams was Test was negative for
with 20ml of distilled not observed Saponin
water then agitated in
graduated cylinder for 15
minute

Test for Resins

Test (acetone-water test) Observation Result
Extract + acetone + water Turbidity was seen Test was positive for
was added in test-tube Resins
and was shacked
properly.

Test for Tannins

Test Observation Result
4 ml extract + 4ml ferric Green colour was formed Test was positive for
chloride solution was Tannins
taken in test-tube and was
mixed

Results:
Hence, performing phytochemical screening of turmeric extract, it was found that
the extract contain resins, tannins and alkaloids.

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Conclusion
From the above project work we conclude that the turmeric powder contain
alkaloids, resins, tannins etc. and also comes to know about their methods of
extraction and their physical as well as morphological characters.

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References
1. TEXTBOOK OF PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY
By; Biren Shah | A. K. Seth; p339-341

2. A Comprehensive Review on Physiological Effects of Curcuma

Article in Drug Research · August 2020
(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343411049)

3. Curcuma longa Linn. A Phytochemical and Phytopharmacological Review

By; Arjun M. Modi | Prafulla
(Sabalehttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/301644533_Curcuma_long
a_Linn_A_Phytochemical_and_Phytopharmacological_Review)

4. The dictionary definition of turmeric at Wiktionary

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric)

5. https://youtu.be/narcXVg3xyM

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