Cost-effective Extraction of Curcumin from locally grown Curcuma longa for Pharmaceutical, Food processing, and Cosmetics industry

Abstract

Curcumin is an important polyphenolic bioactive compound with a plethora of medicinal properties including its anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, hepatoprotective, and anti cancerous action. As the raw material for its extraction i.e., Curcuma longa (turmeric) is widely cultivated in Pakistan, its cost-effective extraction method with optimal conditions were narrowed down. The extraction method was limited to Soxhlet assembly and hot plate method. The optimal conditions while taking the cost effectivity aspect into account included extraction through Soxhlet assembly for 3-4 hours with acetone and ethanol performing best as solvents. The optimal number of hexanes washing steps were 3-4 times. Technoeconomic analysis for its bulk production at lab scale was done to provide a bird’s eye view of how much revenue could be generated if its production starts locally. To elucidate further, sensitivity analysis with extraction percentage yield has the key variable was done. With Asian countries being the active player in supplementing the turmeric crop needs of the western market, it will not be long before the local industries start to think about the curcumin extraction on a commercial scale.