Curcumin

Figure 1. Curcumin in enolic form (i.e. in organic solvents).

Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical produced by the Curcuma longa plant (i.e. the Tumeric plant). Curcumin are phenolic pigments that are responsible for the orange-yellow colour of the Tumeric rhizome (or "root").

Curcumin is hydrophobic and does not easily dissolve in water (when dissolved in water, Curcumin takes the keto form). However, it is easily dissolvable in organic solvents (when dissolved in organic solvents, Curcumin takes the enol form).

Figure 2. Curcumin in keto form (i.e. in water).

Curcumin has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. Today, Curcumin's most common applications are as an ingredient in dietary supplements, in cosmetics, as flavouring for foods, and as colouring for foods such as curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses.

For nutritional values, refer to the Codex entry for Tumeric.