Separation and Identification of Curcuminoids from Asian Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Using RP-HPLC and LC-MS

In this study, three major curcuminoids in turmeric, including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bismethoxycurcumin, were efficiently extracted by optimizing the extraction conditions and were simultaneously identified using a fast and reliable HPLC-UV-MS method and thin layer chromatography. The analysis was performed with a C-18 column and the UV wavelengths were fixed at 425 and 254 nm. The total extraction yields of curcumin and demethoxycurcumin increased with the extraction time from 1 to 4 h, but scarcely increased after 4 h. LC-MS following thin layer chromatography analysis provided efficient molecular weight information for the two major curcuminoids in the turmeric extracts.