GC-MS Analysis of Dyes Extracted from Turmeric

Standard extraction procedure for examining chromophoric substances of turmeric was investigated. Acetone and methanol were used as extracting solvents with different extraction procedures and pH levels. GC-MS analysis identified curcumene 2 (6.7 min), feruloylmethane 3 (8.3 min), coumaran 4 (6.09 min), vanillin 5 (6.2 min), and zingiberene 6 (10.5 min) as the major products. Curcumin 1 which has been known as the major chromophoric substance of turmeric was not detected in any samples. The maximum amount of curcumene 2, which was used as the fingerprint product for turmeric dye, was obtained by utilizing presoaking and decanting step with methanol prior to actual extraction step using a waterbath shaker (WMM). The highest relative abundance of curcumene 2 was detected in pH 6 sample followed by pH 5 indicating that the most appropriate pH level was in the range of pH 6-5.