Phytochemical and Biochemichal Profile of Raw Extracts and Oil from Curcuma longa Rhyzomes Grown in Diabo (Côte d'Ivoire)

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical and biochemichal profile of Curcuma longa grown in Diabo, central Côte d'Ivoire.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry-Genetics, Unit for Training and Research in Biological Sciences, Peleforo University GON COULIBALY Korhogo, BP 1328 Korhogo; The first part of this study was carried out from April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023; the second part was conducted from March 01, 2024 to July 31, 2024.

Methodology: Several phytochemical tests based on colorimetric reactions were used to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins. To characterize the oil and crude extracts, the indices of iodine and refractive as well as pH and Brix were determined.

Results: The results show the presence of several secondary metabolites in the crude extracts, including polyphenols (53.1 ± 2.08 mg Eq AG/g extract), flavonoids (2.7 ± 0.22 mg Eq AG/g) and catechic tannins (9.1 ± 0.7 mg Eq C/g) in variable quantities. Biochemical analyses showed a pH close to neutral (pH = 6.68). The Brix value (23.20 ± 0.26 min), shows that Curcuma longa extracts, in particular EHCL, contain several soluble solids such as reducing sugars, acids, salts, pectins and nitrogenous matter. As far as the oil is concerned, the iodine value obtained was 84.1 ± 0.1 g I2 /100 g fat; this high value is close to 100 g. The refractive index was 1.52 ± 0.61.

Conclusion: Phytochemical and biochemical characteristics show that Curcuma longa rhizomes could have interesting pharmacological potential.