Evaluation of the Nutritional Status and Phytomedicinal Properties of Dried Rhizomes of Turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa</i>)

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and has long been used traditionally for centuries as a spice and medicinal elixir. Hence, the present study aimed to profile the nutritional and phytomedicinal properties of the plant in order to justify its relevance in traditional phytomedicine and advocate its application in novel pharmacological products. Using standard methods (High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry), the dried rhizomes were washed, pulverized and ethanol extracts subjected to proximate, phytochemical, vitamins, amino acid and mineral determinations. Data obtained were analyzed using student's t-test in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21. Determined proximate indices indicated moisture content of 9.55%, carbohydrate (57.30%), ash (24.70%), crude fiber (1.12%), proteins (2.15%) and fat (5.32%). Mineral composition analyses showed that C. longa rhizomes had higher contents of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium in parts per million (ppm) at 38.68 ± 0.114, 19.75 ± 0.001, 9.20 ± 0.002 and 7.06 ± 0.014 respectively. Amino acid profile revealed the presence of both essential and non-essential types with aspartate and glutamate in higher contents at 9.78 g/100 g and 9.65 g/100 g, respectively. Findings showed also the presence of vitamins A, C and D at 254.5 ± 2.19 mg/kg, 19.47 ± 0.16 mg/kg and 10.92 ± 0.92 mg/kg, respectively. Phytochemical analyses showed the presence of phenolic compounds with high retention times. This study thus revealed that C. longa possesses various nutritional and pharmacological/medicinal components in considerable quantities and can provide the body with basic nutrients for its therapeutic needs as well as secondary compounds with tremendous phytomedicinal potentials.

Production and Quality Evaluation of Selected Spices [Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Garlic (Allium Sativum), Tumeric (Curcuma longa) and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)]

“…The highest level of potassium (815.28 mg/g) was observed in ginger powder (GP) while the cloves powder (CP) had the least value (129.35 mg/g). These values are higher than the reports of [24] and [49] for potassium contents of ginger (0.72 mg/g) and turmeric (9.24 mg/g). The potassium contents of clove (0.39 mg/g) and turmeric (2.49 mg/g) reported by [21] are lower than the values obtained for samples in this study while [43] reported (0.42 mg/g) for potassium content of ginger powder.…”

Phytochemical Screening, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, GC-MS and Antibacterial Activities of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Rhizome Extracts

“…Other elements like: K, Zn, Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Pb were found to be present in very small quantities that are not significant (Table 1). Enemor et al [20] study shows that Curcuma longa rhizomes had higher contents of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium in parts per million (ppm) at 38.68 ± 0.114, 19.75 ± 0.001, 9.20 ± 0.002 and 7.06 ± 0.014 respectively. Their result is similar to the result obtained in our study.…”

Lipid profiling of Wistar rats fed with processed breadfruit

“…This decrease might be a result of the phytomedicinal, mineral, and vitamin constituents of breadfruit. It has earlier been revealed that medicinal plants contain sufficient phytochemicals responsible for their beneficial properties both in nutrition and disease management [20,21].…”