Pressurized liquid extraction of curcuminoids and curcuminoid degradation products from turmeric (Curcuma longa) with subsequent HPLC assays

A procedure involving pressurized liquid extraction is used to extract curcuminoids and curcuminoid degradation products from turmeric (Curcuma longa) root-powder samples. Subsequent HPLC assay results for total curcuminoids are comparable to that obtained by Soxhlet extraction and slightly, but significantly higher, than that obtained by single and multiple ultrasonically assisted extractions. An efficient HPLC procedure for assaying some of the known curcumin degradation products is also presented.