Variation of curcuminoids in ethanolic extract of Curcuma zedoaria Rhizomes in Thailand by HPLC

Curcuminoids, major components in the rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe were determined using a high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. The analysis was carried out at 425 nm using a BDS Hypersil C₁₈ column as a stationary phase, 0.1% acetic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile as mobile phase [1, 2]. Ethanolic extracts of C. zedoaria rhizomes collected from various parts of Thailand contained curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin in the range of 1.46±0.45 to 5.73±0.11%w/w (average 2.73±1.24%w/w), 3.15±0.15 to 10.98±0.28%w/w (average 7.37±2.71%w/w) and 0.49±0.02 to 2.99±0.20%w/w (average 1.40±0.82%w/w), respectively. The highest average total curcuminoids content in the extracts was found to be 16.83±0.62%w/w while the lowest content was 6.09±1.79%w/w. This information will be useful as guidance for further standardization of C. zedoaria extracts of which the content has not been reported elsewhere.

Fig.1: Chromatogram of 70% ethanolic extract of C. zedoaria rhizomes.

Acknowledgement: This study was supported by the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program of the Thailand Research Fund.

References: [1] Pothitirat, W (2006) Standardization and antioxidant activity of Curcuma longa rhizome extract (M.Sc. Thesis in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Phytochemistry). Faculty of Graduate studies, Mahidol University: 117. [2] Guddadarangavvanahally, K.J. et al. (2002) J Agric Food Chem. 50: 3668–72.