On the morning of December 8th, the Department of Science and Technology organized the acceptance testing committee to evaluate the results of the research project on The extraction and isolation of curcumin and oil from the residue of the turmeric starch production process from certain varieties of turmeric in Quang Nam province.
This is a provincial-level scientific and technological project, led by UDA under the supervision of Dr. Nguyen Thi Anh Dao. Conducted from November 2020 to October 2023, the project aimed to enhance the value of turmeric while simultaneously reducing environmental pollution from the turmeric starch production process.
The project revolves around the processing of yellow turmeric, a common medicinal herb cultivated in many areas in Quang Nam, into turmeric starch used for various purposes. However, the processed product is mainly produced using traditional methods, such as grinding, settling in water, separating starch, and removing other components. Most water-insoluble components with higher economic value, such as curcuminoids and turmeric oil, are discarded in the turmeric residue. This leads to a significant loss of curcuminoids and turmeric oil, reducing the economic value of the final product while also causing environmental pollution.
Firstly, the research team from Dong A University surveyed and collected turmeric samples from four locations: Phu Ninh, Tien Phuoc, Hiep Duc, and Dong Giang to select turmeric varieties with high curcuminoid content in Quang Nam province. These high curcuminoid varieties will then be disseminated to specialized turmeric cultivation areas to boost the quality of their harvests. The turmeric sample with the highest curcuminoid content was identified in Thanh commune (Phu Ninh).
The team then studied and improved the technical processes for producing turmeric starch with high curcuminoid content. By successfully extracting and isolating turmeric oil and curcumin from the waste residue of the turmeric starch production process, the team could use these otherwise wasted components as raw materials for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and supplements.
During the acceptance testing session, the evaluation committee members praised the project for the research team's efforts in implementing the project, research methods, and reliable data. Nevertheless, recommendations were also made on some areas that need improvement to make the project a scientific basis for practical application, contributing to enhancing the value of turmeric in Quang Nam.