Curcuma longa (rhizome)

Nomenclature

Curcuma longa L.   Zingiberaceae  
Standardized common name (English): turmeric

Microscopic Characteristics

Thin walled parenchyma cell showing bright red contents as a result of being heated with an acid observed at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories http://www.Alkemist.com	Large thick walled covering trichome observed at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories http://www.Alkemist.com

High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic Identification

Turmeric (rhizome) HPTLC ID - White RT Turmeric (rhizome) (Curcuma longa) Lane Assignments Lanes, from left to right (Track, Volume, Sample): 2 µL Bisdesmethoxycurcumin 2 µL Desmethoxycurcumin 2 µL Curcumin 4 µL Curcuminoids 2 µL Turmeric (Curcuma longa) 2 µL Curcuma xanthorrhiza  Reference Sample(s) Reference: Dissolve 2 mg of USP Curcuminoids RS in 5 mL of methanol.  Stationary Phase Stationary phase, i.e. Silica gel 60, F254  Mobile Phase Toluene, acetic acid (4:1) (v/v)  Sample Preparation Method Sample: Mix 0.2 g of powdered sample with 3 mL of methanol, sonicate for 10 minutes, then centrifuge or filter the solution and use the supernatant/filtrate as test solution.  Detection Method Saturated chamber; developing distance 70 mm from lower edge; relative humidity 33%  Other Notes Images presented in this entry are examples and are not intended to be used as basis for setting specifications for quality control purposes. System suitability test (UV 366 nm): Curcuminoids: three yellowish-green zones at Rf ~ 0.21 (bisdesmethoxycurcumin), Rf ~ 0.32 (desmethoxycurcumin), and Rf ~ 0.42 (curcumin). Identification: Compare result with reference images. The fingerprint of the test solution is similar to that of the corresponding botanical reference sample. Additional weak zones may be present. The chromatogram of the test solution shows three yellowish-green zones at Rf ~ 0.21, Rf ~ 0.32, and Rf ~ 0.42 corresponding to the three zones of the curcuminoids reference. Test for other species: The chromatogram of Curcuma xanthorriza does not show an intense fluorescent zone at Rf ~ 0.21 (orange arrow). Turmeric (rhizome) HPTLC ID - White RT Turmeric (rhizome) HPTLC ID - UV 366 nm Source: HPTLC Association

Turmeric adulteration with nimesulide (rhizome) HPTLC ID - UV 254 nm Turmeric adulteration with nimesulide (rhizome) (Curcuma longa) Lane Assignments Lanes, from left to right (Track, Volume, Sample): 2 µL Turmeric 1 (not spiked) 2 µL Turmeric 1 (spiked w/ 1% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 1 (w/ 2% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 1 (w/ 5% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 1 (w/ 10% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 2 (not spiked) 2 µL Turmeric 2 (w/ 1% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 2 (w/ 2% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 2 (w/ 5% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 2 (w/ 10% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 3 (not spiked) 2 µL Turmeric 3 (w/ 1% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 3 (w/ 2% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 3 (w/ 5% nimesulide) 2 µL Turmeric 3 ( w/ 10% nimesulide)  Reference Sample(s) Reference: Dissolve 1.0 mg of nimesulide in 10 mL of methanol.  Stationary Phase Stationary phase, i.e. Silica gel 60, F254  Mobile Phase Toluene, acetic acid (4:1) (v/v)  Sample Preparation Method Sample: Mix 0.2 g of powdered sample with 3 mL of methanol, sonicate for 10 minutes, then centrifuge or filter the solution and use the supernatant/filtrate as test solution. Derivatization reagent: 2,5-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone reagent, Preparation: 0.50 g of 2,5-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone is dissolved in 80 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide and then diluted with 160 mL of tetrahydrofuran, Use: Dip (time 0, speed 5), dry in a stream of cold air for 3 min.  Detection Method Saturated chamber; developing distance 70 mm from lower edge; relative humidity 33%  Other Notes Images presented in this entry are examples and are not intended to be used as basis for setting specifications for quality control purposes. System suitability test: Nimesulide: Rf ~ 0.51 Test for adulteration: Compare result with reference images. The fingerprint of the test solution is similar to that of the corresponding botanical reference sample. Additional weak zones may be present. The chromatogram of the test solution shows no zone at Rf ~ 0.51 corresponding in color and position to that of the nimesulide reference standard. Turmeric adulteration with nimesulide (rhizome) HPTLC ID - UV 254 nm Turmeric adulteration with nimesulide (rhizome) HPTLC ID - 2,5-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone reagent, UV 366 nm Turmeric adulteration with nimesulide (rhizome) HPTLC ID - 2,5-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone reagent, white RT Source: HPTLC Association