Formic Acid and Microwave Assisted Extraction of Curcumin from Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Curcumin is a natural bioactive compound originated from the rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). This study was performed to investigate formic acid and microwave assisted extraction of curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). In order to enhance the curcumin extraction, different parameters such as particle size, effect of pretreatment with water, radiation intensity and type of solvent were investigated. For analysis of curcumin content, two methods were developed. Spectrophotometric methods at the stage of optimization and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for determination of the purity of curcumin were used. At particle size of 0.21mm and input power of 100W using acetone as organic solvent, the highest curcumin extraction yields were achieved. The results showed that water is a suitable modifier for the pretreatment of turmeric with microwave irradiation. For purification of curcumin in HPLC analysis, methanol and water were used as co-solvents. Maximum obtained curcumin purity was 82.4%.