Analysis of Phytochemical Activities of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.)

Abstract

Turmeric is the rootstalk of a tropical plant which is known as Curcuma longa and belongs to family Zingiberaceae. C. longa, commonly known as turmeric (Haldi), is a well-known plant which is used as a drug in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicine. Turmeric is also recommended for treating diabetes, high cholesterol, abdominal pains, menstrual disorder, wounds, eczema, psoriasis, jaundice, inflammations, cancer symptoms and as a blood purifying agent. The rhizomes of Curcuma longa considered to have natural medicinal properties, including consist of wide array of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-bacterial activity. Therefore, the present study aimed to screen the phytochemical constituents present in both varieties which imparts the antimicrobial potential. In C-39 variety, the highest percent of yield was found to be of 50% aqueous acetone extract and lowest percent of yield was found to be of 100% acetone. In PTS variety, the highest percent of yield was found to be of 50% aqueous acetone extract and lowest percent of yield was found to be of 100% acetone. In both the varieties, it was observed that all the phytochemicals (Carbohydrate, alkaloid, flavonoid, glycoside, phenols, tannin, saponin, terpenoids, steroids and quinones) were found to be present in methanolic extract. Alkaloids, carbohydrates, terpenoids and steroids were only found in methanolic extract and absent in acetone extract of both the varieties. 100% extract showed maximum zone of inhibition on each bacterial species in comparison to 75% and 50% extract of both the varieties. Methanolic extract of Curcuma longa was show maximum zone of inhibition against bacteria in both the varieties. The findings of the present study clearly indicate that the rhizomes of turmeric plants also possess the phytochemical and anti-bacterial activity.