Multielement Determination in Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Using Different Digestion Methods

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Pharmacognosy
• Food Science

Background:

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties, attributed to its rich nutritional profile.
• Beyond organic compounds, understanding the elemental composition of turmeric is crucial for its medicinal and culinary applications.
• Essential and potentially toxic elements in turmeric require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the elemental composition of turmeric samples.
• To identify essential and potentially toxic elements present in turmeric.
• To compare elemental content with established safety regulations.

Main Methods:

• Microwave-assisted digestion was employed for sample preparation.
• Optimized digestion mixture involved semi-concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide.
• Elemental analysis was performed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Main Results:

• A comprehensive elemental profile of turmeric was established, including Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, Te, Tl, V, and Zn.
• All analyzed turmeric samples showed levels of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) below the World Health Organization (WHO) regulatory limits.
• One sample exceeded the regulatory limit for cadmium (Cd).

Conclusions:

• Elemental composition of turmeric varies based on factors like origin, production methods, and harvest year.
• While turmeric generally meets safety standards for As and Pb, Cd levels require attention.
• Further research into factors influencing elemental composition is warranted for quality control and safety assurance.