EFFICIENT EXTRACTION OF CURCUMIN FROM TURMERIC WITH PHARMACEUTICAL SOLVENTS AND OPTIMIZATION USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

The aim of the study was to find out a novel, effective, safe, and eco-friendly method for the extraction of curcumin from turmeric. A pharmaceutically safe solvent isopropyl alcohol was selected based on preliminary screening. Three methods, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and maceration were explored, and optimization of each method was performed using Box-Behnken design with RSM. Yield (mg/g) ranged from 1.35-12.53, 1.43-5.59, and 0.23-7.06 (mg/g) in MAE, UAE, and maceration, respectively. For MAE, optimum conditions were 30 mL/g solvent-to-solid ratio (SSR), 240 W microwave power, and 40 s extraction time. The optimum UAE conditions were 40 degrees C, 10 min and 50 mL/g SSR. The optimum conditions for maceration were 60 degrees C, 90 min and 10 mL/g SSR. Based on the results, MAE was the most robust technique for extraction of curcumin from turmeric and the protocol may be developed for industrial application.