TABLE 1.

The main products of C. longa, their appearance, chemical constituents, and use.

Product name	Appearance	Chemical constituents	Uses
Whole rhizome (dried form)	Orange-brown, red-yellow, or pale yellow	3%–15% curcuminoids, and 1.5%–5% essential oils	Medicinal purposes
Ground C. longa	Yellow or red-yellow	Curcuminoids and essential oils may be reduced during the processing, as well as by light exposure. The powder must be stored in a UV-resistant container	Used as a condiment, dye, medicine, and dietary supplement
C. longa oil	Yellow to brown oil	Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are predominated in essential oils of leaves and rhizomes, respectively	Used as a spice, medicine, and dietary supplement
C. longa oleoresins	Dark yellow, reddish-brown viscous fluid	25% of essential oil and 37%–55% of curcuminoids	Used as a food dye, medicine, and dietary supplement
Curcumin	Yellow to orange-red colored crystalline powder	Curcumin and its bisdemethoxy and demethoxy derivatives. The three primary curcuminoids may account for up to 90% of the total curcuminoids. Oils and resins may make up a small percentage of the total composition.	Used as medicine and dietary supplement