Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is widely used as a natural food colorant and spice, and as a therapeutic in Indian medicine systems. The plant is native in southern Asia, China, the Caribbean Islands, and South America. A review of turmeric used as a natural colorant for food is presented. Data related to plants, chemical composition and pigments of rhizome, toxicology, processing, pigments extraction, stability, analytical methods for the evaluation of turmeric, and commercial use are included.
Curcuma longa L; curcuma; pigments; natural colorants