Curcumin

Curcumin is the phenolic pigment which exists as a yellow-orange powder or needles, derived from rhizomes of plants of the genus Curcuma, for example turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). It is insoluble in water but soluble in ethanol. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant, shows antitumour activity in animal studies and anticarcinogenicity in vitro, and is used as a food dye, a biological stain and an analytical reagent. It is sensitive to light and alkaline conditions, which limits applications, and quality specifications cover curcuminoid content, heavy metals and freedom from synthetic dye adulterants.