Importance of curcumin, an active compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa L)
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Dr Nellisha Ngoruw Moyon*, Dr Jonah Dakho1 and Dr Ps Mariam Anal
Contd from previous issue
In the European Union, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has re-evaluated the safety of curcumin (E 100) as a food additive and concluded that it is non-carcinogenic, non-genotoxic, and safe at current levels of food use.
Conclusion
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the most widely cultivated spice crops in North-eastern region of India because of agro-climatic suitability, rich genetic diversity and high curcumin content. Apart from improved varieties like Lakadong and Megha Turmeric-1, a number of local cultivars exist in northeastern region which have high curcumin content. The NEHR, green belt of India which comprises of eight states, namely, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim harbours a rich flora on account of its varied topography, climate and altitudes and has great potential for the development of turmeric crop. NEH Region is home to a niche spice crop like Lakadong turmeric, which has high market demand for it’s unique features.
Turmeric is an important cash crop in the NEH region and shares about 8.30 per cent of the total production in the country. Mizoram, with a total production of 27.82 thousand MT is the leading state in the region followed by Meghalaya (16.63 thousand MT) and Manipur (15.40 thousand MT).
The agro-climatic conditions of the region charac- terised by warm and humid summers with abundant rainfall and cool winters are favourable for turmeric cultivation. Like other food crops grown in the NE region, turmeric is cultivated using the traditional knowledge of the inhabitants which are generally eco-friendly, less expensive and organic inputs.
Cultivation of Lakadong Turmeric / Megha Turmeric having high curcumin content and hence suitable for extraction of colour. This variety is highly location specific and is very much preferred by the exporters for extraction of the colour. Due to high curcumin content Indian turmeric is very popular as compared to other countries. Therefore, the NER genotypes should be given importance in the programmes of genetic enhancement and varietal improvement of turmeric. Curcumin an active compound in turmeric crop has a great market potential domestically and abroad thus creating future prospectives for our country and especially the North Eastern Himalayan region.
Contd from previous issue
In the European Union, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has re-evaluated the safety of curcumin (E 100) as a food additive and concluded that it is non-carcinogenic, non-genotoxic, and safe at current levels of food use.
Conclusion
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the most widely cultivated spice crops in North-eastern region of India because of agro-climatic suitability, rich genetic diversity and high curcumin content. Apart from improved varieties like Lakadong and Megha Turmeric-1, a number of local cultivars exist in northeastern region which have high curcumin content. The NEHR, green belt of India which comprises of eight states, namely, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim harbours a rich flora on account of its varied topography, climate and altitudes and has great potential for the development of turmeric crop. NEH Region is home to a niche spice crop like Lakadong turmeric, which has high market demand for it’s unique features.
Turmeric is an important cash crop in the NEH region and shares about 8.30 per cent of the total production in the country. Mizoram, with a total production of 27.82 thousand MT is the leading state in the region followed by Meghalaya (16.63 thousand MT) and Manipur (15.40 thousand MT).
The agro-climatic conditions of the region charac- terised by warm and humid summers with abundant rainfall and cool winters are favourable for turmeric cultivation. Like other food crops grown in the NE region, turmeric is cultivated using the traditional knowledge of the inhabitants which are generally eco-friendly, less expensive and organic inputs.
Cultivation of Lakadong Turmeric / Megha Turmeric having high curcumin content and hence suitable for extraction of colour. This variety is highly location specific and is very much preferred by the exporters for extraction of the colour. Due to high curcumin content Indian turmeric is very popular as compared to other countries. Therefore, the NER genotypes should be given importance in the programmes of genetic enhancement and varietal improvement of turmeric. Curcumin an active compound in turmeric crop has a great market potential domestically and abroad thus creating future prospectives for our country and especially the North Eastern Himalayan region.