Validated HPTLC analysis method for quantification of variability in content of curcumin in Curcuma longa L (turmeric) collected from different geographical region of India

Abstract

To develop a simple, sensitive, precise, and accurate stability-indicating high performance thin-layer chromatographic method for analysis of curcumin (the main active constituent of turmeric). The separation was achieved on TLC aluminum plates precoated with silica gel 60F₂₅₄ using toluene-chloroform-methanol (5:4:1, v/v/v) as a mobile phase. Densitometric analysis was performed at 430 nm. This system was found to have compact spot of curcumin at RF value of (0.31±0.02). For the proposed procedure, linearity (r2 = 0.99354 ± 0.00120), limit of detection (50 ng/spot), limit of quantification (200 ng/spot), recovery (ranging from 98.35% – 100.68%), and precision (⩽2.25%) were found to be satisfactory. Statistical analysis reveals that the content of curcumin in different geographical region varied significantly. The highest and lowest concentration of curcumin in Turmeric was found to be present in sample of Erode (Tamilnadu) and Surat (Gujrat) respectively which inferred that the variety of turmeric found in Erode (Tamilnadu) is much superior to other region of India.