Abstracto

Novel And Sensitive Spectrophotometric Methods For The Determination Of A Versatile Nutraceutical: Curcumin

Ayesha Syeda, Priscila Cervini, Luiz Ant�?�?�?�?�?�?�?´nio Ramos

Simple, sensitive, selective, rapid and reliable methods for the spectrophotometric determination of curcumin belonging to the class of nutraceuticals has been worked out. The methods are based on the reaction of curcumin with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazoline hydrazono hydrochloride hydrate (MBTH), an electrophilic coupling agent in presence of iron(III) in mild hydrochloric acid medium. The bluish-green complex shows maximum absorbance at 660 nm. The colour complex can be extracted into chloroform. The methods obey BeerÂ’s law. As many as 10 anions and cations do not interfere. The methods have good reproducibility and can be satisfactorily applied to the determination of curcumin in various turmeric samples.