TURMERIC - INDIAN SAFFRON

Turmeric otherwise called as Indian Saffron comes from the

root of Curcuma longa, is a well-known indigenous perennial
plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. Turmeric is native
to India, other parts of Asia and Africa. India is considered as
the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in
the globe. In India, turmeric is grown in an area of 1,94,358
hectares with an annual rhizome
production of around 8,92,213 tonnes.
The main turmeric growing states are Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Erode, a
city in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the world's largest
producer and most important trading center of turmeric in Asia.
Indian turmeric is considered the best in the world market
because of its high curcumin content.
The plant grows up to 60-90 cm high, with a short stem and tufted leaf. Plants are
gathered annually for their rhizomes, and reseeded from some of those rhizomes in the
following season. The root, or rhizome, has a tough brown skin and bright orange flesh.
In fresh state, the rootstock has an aromatic and spicy fragrance, which on drying gives
a more medicinal aroma. The root is used to produce the vibrant yellow spice used as a
culinary spice so often used in curry dishes. Turmeric is also called as Indian Saffron,
because of its deep yellow orange color. Turmeric is known for its warm, bitter taste and
golden color. It is commonly used in fabric dyes and foods such as curry powders.


Nutritional and health benefits
The major constituents are curcumin, various curcuminoids, curcuma oil. Curcumin, an
active component of turmeric, is a yellow pigment that has been isolated from the ground
rhizome part of the curcuma plant species. Essential oil from turmeric is about 1.5 and
5.5% of the composition. These essential oils consist of a 60% of the sesquiterpene
lactone turmerone. Turmeric extract is rich in carbohydrates, especially in starch (45-
55%). It also contains arabinogalactans, potassium salt and resins. These constituents
exhibit a wide range of biological activities, e.g. anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory,
hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, lipoxygenase, cycloxygenase, protease inhibitory
effects, besides being effective active oxygen species scavengers and lipid peroxidase
inhibitors.

Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful healers. Long known for its anti-inflammatory
properties, research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in
the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.
Following are some of its health benefits:

Turmeric helps detoxify the body, and protects the liver from
the damaging effects of alcohol, toxic chemicals, and even
some pharmaceutical drugs.
500 milligrams of curcumin each day significantly reduce
cholesterol levels in as little as 10 days. Turmeric's ability to
lower cholesterol may provide the same heart-protective
benefits including blood clot prevention and reduced blood
pressure, as its close relative ginger.
Turmeric inhibits the development of cataracts, breast cancer, colon cancer, and
lymphoma.
Turmeric stimulates the production of bile, which is needed to digest fat. Turmeric
also guards the stomach by killing salmonella bacteria and protozoa that can
cause diarrhea.
It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-
inflammatory drugs but without the side effects. Because of its anti-inflammatory
properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Curcumin, in small doses, has been shown to have the capacity to protect against
chromosomal damage caused by gamma radiation. Curcumin has also been
shown to inhibit the mutagenic induction effect of UV rays. It also exerts very
powerful antioxidant effects.
Powdered rhizome is used to treat wounds, bruises, inflamed joints and sprains.
Speeds up wound healing and assist in remodeling of damaged skin. It is
stomachic, carminative, tonic, blood purifier and an antiseptic.

Uses of turmeric

The most common usage of turmeric is in the form of root
powder and in some regions turmeric leaves are used to wrap
and cook food. Although usually used in its dried, powdered
form, turmeric is also used fresh, much like ginger. Turmeric
has been widely used as spice and coloring agent in food. It is
a principal ingredient in curry powder. The color curcumin
extracted from turmeric is used as a colorant. Turmeric
oleoresin is used in brine pickles and to some extent in
mayonnaise and relish formulations, non-alcoholic beverages, gelatins, butter and
cheese, etc. Turmeric is also used as a dye in textile industry. It is used in the
preparation of medicinal oils, ointments and poultice. It is used in cosmetics. The
aqueous extracts have biopesticidal properties.

Harvesting

Turmeric readiness for harvest is indicated by the drying of the plant and stem,
approximately 7 to 10 months after planting. The rhizome bunches are carefully dug out
manually with a spade, or the soil is first loosened with a small digger, and clumps are
manually lifted. Rhizomes are cleaned from adhering soil by soaking in water, and long
roots as well as leaf scales are removed.

Dried whole rhizome

The green rhizomes are boiled in water. The time required for it is 30 minutes to 6 hours.
Then they are spread out on bamboo mats or clean floor and allowed to dry in the sun
for about 10-15 days. They are stirred well to ensure uniform drying. Artificial drying at a
maximum temperature of 65C gives a bright colored product than that of sun drying.
Completely dried turmeric holds 6% moisture content. The dried turmeric is rubbed
against the hard surface of the drying-floor and the scales and root bases are separated
by winnowing. During polishing, water is also sprinkled which causes improvement in
the color of turmeric. Bulk rhizomes are graded into fingers, bulbs and splits. The bulk
rhizomes are stored in a cool and dry environment, away from direct sunlight. They are
packed in sacks, wooden boxes or lined corrugated cardboard boxes.














Flowchart of Turmeric Powder Production

Turmeric powder
The dried and polished rhizomes are cut into pieces for further grinding. This is milled
or ground with hand operated grinder (chakki). Hammer mill is also used for grinding.
Rhizomes are ground to approximately 60-80 mesh particle size. Ground turmeric
should be packaged in moisture proof, air-tight polyethylene packages. The bright color
of ground turmeric will fade when it is left in the light for a long period of time.
Therefore, the packets should be stored in a cardboard box, away from the sunlight.



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Turmeric oleoresin
Oleoresins are obtained by solvent extraction of dried ground spices, followed by
complete removal of solvents from the extract. Turmeric Oleoresin is a pigment obtained
by extracting ginger and dried rootstock of turmeric of zingiberaceae with ethyl alcohol,
oil, or organic solvent. It is a yellow-dark reddish brown liquid, lump, powder, or paste
with a slight characteristic scent. Spice oleoresins are a liquid, semi-solid or solid
residue obtained by solvent extraction and possessing the full character of natural
spices. The process for obtaining oleoresins is designed around extracting both
essential oil and non-volatile components that are desirable and contribute largely to the
flavour profile. The solvent is removed by using a vacuum and the concentrated extract
is the oleoresin. The physical characteristics of oleoresins range from viscous oils to
thick, tacky pastes.
Turmeric oil
Tumeric oil is extracted from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, using steam
distillation process. The oil has a spicy gingery orange perfume and is slightly green to a
yellow color and the powder a bright yellow to a yellow/orange color. Steam distillation is
the most common method of extracting essential oils. Fresh or dried material can be
used. The heat of the steam forces the intercellular pockets that hold the essential oils to
open and release them. Material is placed in a closed container of the still, and
pressurized steam is generated which enters the container and circulates through the
material.
The temperature of the steam should not be very high as it can damage the botanical
material but should be high enough to open the pockets which hold the essential oil.
Curcuma longa yields 0.3- 7.2 % (usually 4 -5 %) of turmeric oil following steam
distillation. The chief constituents of essential oil are turmerone (60%) and related
compounds and zingiberene (25%). The oil can be used on the skin for treating wounds
and dermatosis. It also acts as an effective insect repellent.
Turmeric oil can be used for treating various digestive conditions like flatulence,
indigestion and lack of appetite. In aromatherapy the use of the oil helps you to relax.
Anxiety, fatigue and other stress related symptoms are alleviated by such processes. It
helps to relieve joint and muscle aches. The oil is also good for treating liver congestion.
The antibacterial properties of the oil are used for treating infections.

Fresh turmeric

Dried

Powdered



Solvent Extraction Steam distillation

Turmeric Oleoresin Turmeric oil





Turmeric in cosmetics
The healing properties and anti-oxidant properties of
the herb have transformed it in to cosmetics and drugs
as the leaf oil and extract can also be used in
sunscreens. These extracts have been added in
creams for use as a coloring agent in cosmetics. Uses
of turmeric as a cosmetic is also known to reduce
spots caused due to pigmentation, turmeric
formulations are also used to heal and prevent dry skin, acne and smoothly retard the
aging process. Turmeric is also very effective as a tonic and blood purifier. It gives a
glow to the skin and keeps some harmful bacteria away from the skin. Finally, turmeric
products are recommended for hair problems like dandruff.
Turmeric as dye
Dyeing with turmeric is a basic process that has been used
for centuries across the world. Turmeric produces a bright
yellow/orange color that can be combined with indigo or
safflower to make a wide spectrum of colors. Turmeric works best on natural linens
made of cotton, wool or silk. The turmeric roots are cleaned, sliced and boiled along with
water for an hour. As it boils, the turmeric emits a strong smell and water will turn into
dark orange color. The cloth to be dyed is rinsed in tap water to remove the debris. The
wet cloth is now completely submerged in the dye for half an hour. The cloth is rotated
occasionally to ensure an even color. Then the cloth is removed and rinsed thoroughly
with cold water and hanged for drying.
The machineries for the processing of above said products are:
1. Solar drier/electrically operated drier
2. Hammer mill or burr mill
3. Turmeric polisher
4. Solvent extraction unit
5. Steam distillation unit
6. Sieves
Turmeric holds much good quality for the betterment of health. Curcumin is the active
ingredient in turmeric which has been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic effects
and because of its golden yellow color, it is also called as Golden Spice of Life.
Ms.K.S.Priyenka Devi,
Department of Chemical Engineering,
School of Chemical and Food Sciences,
Kongu Engineering College,
Perundurai -638052
Erode. Tamil Nadu.

Ms. A.Sangamithra,
Department of Food Technology

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