EDXRF and GC Characterization of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) Rhizome from Madagascar

Abstract

Curcuma longa is mostly distributed in Asia and is the most common traditional drug of Indian and Chinese medicines used as anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antibacterial, anticancer and antioxidant agents. The present study was designed to characterize Curcuma longa L. from Madagascar by the determination of heavy metals and mineral elements of 3 samples of Curcuma longa L. rhizomes powder from 3 local companies by X fluorescence method and the essential oil chemical composition from 2 regions of Madagascar: Anivorano and Manjakandriana by gas chromatography (GC). The major compounds were Ar-Turmerone (42,19-47,32%), β-Turmerone (07,26-09,63%) and α-Turmerone (16,78-17,59%). The major mineral elements Curcuma longa L. rhizome powder was Magnesium (28000,0 ± 280,0), Calcium (1236,5 ± 111,3 mg/kg) and Iron (1102,0 ± 110,2) from Manjakandriana. It is thus desirable that the chemical composition of Malagasy turmeric from vrarious place in Madagascar would be compared to those from African continent.