Page 208 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

Curcuma: A, long turmeric; B, bulb turmeric; C,T.S. cic, scar
left by removal of a branch; ct, cortex; en, endodermis; l.s, leaf
scar; s; stele; v.b, vascular bundle.

Constituents
Turmeric contains about 5 % of volatile oil, resin, and a crystalline yellow
substance curcumin. These occur, in the fresh rhizome, in particular secreting cells
in which they have been produced, but pass during the scalding into the surrounding
tissue, the parenchymatous cells of which are filled with amorphous masses of
gelatinized starch.

Uses
Turmeric is used as condiment and coloring agent, and as a reagent for the
detection of boric acid.

Note. Zedoary (G. zedoaria Roscoe), India; circular slices of rhizome
resembling bulb turmeric, grayish or yellowish, starchy, section exhibiting
numerous oleo-resin cells, and bundles without sclerenchymatous elements. The
epidermis bears thick-walled, unicellular, sharply conical trichomes. Taste and odor
resembling Ginger but less aromatic.

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