Turmeric, the rhizome of Curcuma longa belongs to family Zingiberaceae. It has many uses like as a spice, food coloring and flavoring agent and is consume for medicinal purposes to treat many diseases.
After the processing of turmeric rhizome many products are made from it which are available for commercial use.
Commercial Products
Turmeric Rhizome (dried)
The dried rhizome which is orange brown or pale yellow in color is available in market. It has 3–15% curcuminoids, and 1.5 to 5% essential oils in it. The rhizome has a lot of medicinal purposes. Medicinal preparations for various diseases including cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic and cardiovascular disorder uses Rhizome.
Turmeric powder
The turmeric powder is generally yellow to brown in color. The amount of curcuminoids and essential oils are also less in it, compared to rhizome due to exposure to light. Dominant as a spice which imparts flavor and color to curries. It also has a number of medicinal properties and people take it as an immunity booster and as antibiotic natural source. Turmeric powder also reduces inflammation, redness and infection caused by insect bite or any wound.
Turmeric oil
It is yellow to brown color liquid. Based upon the part used for its production, its composition varies. If leaves are used to produce oil, monoterpenes are dominated and if rhizome is used, sesquiterpenes dominate. It is an excellent antiseptic agent, removes dandruff, diminishes the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles. It also improves skin resiliency.
Turmeric oleoresins
It is a viscous liquid having dark yellow or reddish brown color. It contains 25% essential oils and 37-55% curcuminoids. The oleoresins are food coloring agent and has many medicinal properties.
Curcumin
It is yellow to orange colour crystalline powder having mixture of curcumin and its bisdemethoxy- and demethoxy- derivatives. It reduces the cholesterol levels, Detoxify liver and Treats ulcers.