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Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Labeling and Imaging of Amyloid Plaques in Brain Tissue Using the Natural Polyphenol Curcumin
Published on: November 1, 2019
Recent Progress in Curcumin Extraction, Synthesis, and Applications: A Comprehensive Review
Qirui Meng1,2,3, Feng Xiao3, Dahai Jiang1,2,3
1Academy of Advanced Carbon Conversion Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
Abstract:
Curcumin, a natural polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa L., exhibits diverse biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant effects, making it a versatile candidate for food, feed, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. However, its industrial application is hindered by low bioavailability, poor water solubility, and high production costs. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest advances in curcumin's physicochemical properties, production routes (phytoextraction, chemical synthesis, and microbial biosynthesis), and wide applications. Compared with existing reviews, this work emphasizes quantitative benchmarking of production methods (yield, productivity, and environmental metrics), critical evaluation of application feasibility including regulatory hurdles and clinical evidence, and actionable future directions for industrial scalability. We systematically analyze the advantages, limitations, economic and environmental trade-offs of each production route, and highlight recent innovations in bioavailability enhancement and metabolic engineering. This review aims to provide a holistic theoretical and technical framework for accelerating curcumin's sustainable development and commercialization in high-value products.
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