Chemical Composition of Turmeric Oil -A Byproduct from Turmeric Oleoresin Industry and Its Inhibitory Activity against Different Fungi

Abstract

Curcumin, the yellow coloring pigment of turmeric is produced industrially from turmeric oleoresin. The mother liquor after isolation of curcum in from oleoresin known as curcumin removed turmeric oleoresin (CRTO) was extracted three times with n-hexane at room temperature for 30 min to obtain turmeric oil. The turmeric oil was subjected to fractional distillation under vacuum to get two fractions. These fractions were tested for antifugal activity against A spergillu s flavus, A . parasiticus, Fusarium moniliform e and Penicillium digitatum by spore germination method. Fraction II was found to be m ore active. The chemical constituents of turmeric oil, fraction I and fraction II were determined by GC and identified by GCMS. Aromatic turmerone, turmerone and curlone were major compounds present in fraction II along with other oxygenated com pounds.