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Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Curcumin From Curcuma longa L. (Turmeric) and Evaluation of  Antioxidant Activity in Multi-Test Systems

Mustafa Bener, Mustafa Özyürek, Kubilay Güçlü and Reşat Apak

Department of Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry Division, Istanbul University, Avcilar 34320, Istanbul, Türkiye

Department of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry Division, Istanbul University, Avcilar 34320, Istanbul, Türkiye

Abstract: Turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.) is a medicinal plant, and its biological activities mainly arise from the main constituent, known as diferuloylmethane or curcumin. In the present paper, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was investigated for the recovery of curcumin from turmeric in comparison to conventional heat-assisted extraction (CHAE) technique. Various experimental conditions, such as solvent concentration (0-100%, v/v), MAE temperature (30-130 oC) and MAE time (0-20 min) were investigated to optimize the extraction of curcumin from turmeric. The identification and quantification of curcumin in extracts were performed by HPLC-DAD system. Antioxidant potential and radical scavenging abilities of microwave-assisted extract and conventional heat-assisted extract of turmeric (MAET and CHAET) were evaluated using different systems including total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and radical scavenging activities. MAET and CHAET showed high antioxidant activity in all test systems, but the antioxidant properties of MAET were stronger than those of CHAET.

Keywords:Curcuma longa L. (turmeric); Curcumin; Microwave-assisted extraction; Total phenolic content; Total antioxidant capacity; Radical scavenging activity. © 2016 ACG Publications. All rights reserved.