Ad. Semwal et al., ANTIOXYGENIC ACTIVITY OF TURMERIC (CURCUMA-LONGA] IN SUNFLOWER OIL AND GHEE, Journal of Food Science and Technology, 34(1), 1997, pp. 67-69
The anti-or pro-oxygenic activity of turmeric, its fractions extracted
using various solvents, volatile oil and curcumin were determined in
refined sunflower oil and ghee at 37 degrees C. The ground spice and w
ater-soluble fraction of the spice showed antioxygenic activity. On th
e other hand, curcumin, water insoluble fraction, acetone soluble, eth
anol soluble and insoluble fractions of turmeric showed moderate pro-o
xidant activity. Volatile oil of turmeric also exhibited slight antiox
ygenic activity. alpha-tocopherol exhibited marginal antioxygenic effe
ct in ghee, but a combination of alpha-tocopherol and curcumin, showed
moderate pro-oxygenic activity.