Nutritional Evaluation of Curcuma Species Collected from Different Agro Climatic Regions of Chhattisgarh

In present study rhizomes of Curcuma longa, Curcuma caesia and Curcuma aromatica from different regions of Chhattisgarh choose for best chemo type identification based on their nutritional evaluation and proximate analysis. Curcuma samples collected from Sarguja district showed highest antioxidant potential in most of the in-vitro assay. All the values compared by standard curcumin and showed significant variation in region wise. It can be conclude from the result that irrespective of the origin or variety, Curcuma is a good natural reservoir of energy whose nutritive components can be used as a food supplement.


Introduction
In past century traditional systems of medication have been used and medicinal plants have played a crucial role to treat lots of disease. Therefore in recent practices plant secondary metabolites have been extensively used as a source of medicinal agents [1]. Antimicrobial agents of plant origin are not associated with side effect and are also cheap, easily available and affordable as compare to the synthetic drugs [2]. There is a wide diversity of compounds isolated from plants, especially secondary metabolites, and studies have shown that these compounds have anticancer, antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral and many other activities to a greater or lesser extent [3,4]. phytochemical compounds include flavonoids, phenols and phenolic glycosides, saponins and cyanogenic glycosides, stilbenes, tannins, nitrogen compounds (alkaloids, amines, betalains), terpenoids and some other endogenous metabolites [3,5].
Curcuma plants (rhizomes and leaves) have a camphoraceous aroma and contain many functional compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids and different antioxidant enzymes. Genus Curcuma is a medicinal plant that botanically belongs to Zingiberacea family [6]. It is also known as "Indian saffron", as it was are taken from the flowers, rhizome, roots or leaves broadly used as a substitute to the more costly saffron of numerous plants and provide specific color, smell, spice [7,8]. Zingiberacea is best known for its antioxidant and blood purifier, clear skin color, remove wounds, antimicrobial properties against pathogens. It hepatoprotective, stop liver obstruction, heals wound, is widely consumed as a flavoring, preservative and stimulant and sedative [9]. Components of turmeric are named curcuminoids which include mainly curcumin (diferuloylmethane, demethoxycurcumin, and bismethoxycurcumin). Curcumin biochemical name is diferuloylmethane and the important curcuminoids contain lots of biological activities. It is soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water [10]. Curcumin, have a potent antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-platelet, cholesterol lowering, antibacterial and antifungal effects [11].
It has a high nutritional status like rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, flavonoids etc. vitamins or vitamin precursor found in curcumin which produces vitamin C, beta-carotene as well as polyphenol coupled with fatty acid and essential oil. Turmeric leaves are great source of vitamin and minerals [6]. Rhizome of Curcuma longa used traditionally as household remedy in curing various diseases such as anorexia, cough, rheumatism and intestine disorder. Curcuma caesia is commonly known as black turmeric (Kali haldi) which is a perennial herb found throughout the Himalayan region, North-east and central India. The paste of rhizome is used traditionally for the treatment of leucoderma, asthma, tumor, piles etc. Curcuma caesia has medicinal value due to its bioactive compound viz alkaloids, steroids, phenolics, and tannins. The rhizome oil of C. Caesia contains 76.6% δ-camphor; 1,8-cineole (9.06%), ocimene (15.66%), 1-ar-curcumene (14.84%), δ-camphor (18.88%), δ-linalool (20.42%), δ-borneol (8.7%) and zingiberol (12.60%) [12]. Curcuma caesia has scientifically studied for various therapeutical activities like antioxidant, antibacterial, antipyretic, larvicidal, insecticidal, antimicrobial, wound healing and anti-hyperglycemic [13]. These include free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-thrombotic, antiapoptotic, anti ischemic, anti-arhythmic, anti-hypertensive, and antiinflammatory activities [14]. The rhizomes of C. aromatica possess a reputed property to promote health conditions by arresting ageing and have immunomodulatory effects. Therefore it has to be need to investigate turmeric and its other species scientifically so that it would not be used only traditionally but industrially in food and drug production. This study will give an insight of the nutritional, phytochemical evaluation of ethanolic rhizome extracts of Curcuma longa collected from different locations of Chhattisgarh (India). The objectives of this work are to determine the proximate, vitamin, nutritional, phytochemical property of different chemotypes of Curcuma longa, Curcuma caesia and Curcuma aromatica. The present study explores the nutritional status of three non convensional Curcuma chemotypes by profiling their biochemical attributes i.e. protein, carbohydrate, fats and many more.

Rhizome extract of Curcuma species
For the extract preparation the regional rhizome samples of Curcuma species were dried and grounded to fine powder. For extraction of curcuminoids ethanol (E) were used in soxhlet extraction unit (Decibel). All the extracts were evaporated to dryness and concentrated the extract using vacuum evaporator for further use. The graphical representation of nutritional evaluation of Curcuma has shown in Figure 1.

Estimation of Curcumin
Estimation of Curcumin was done by following the standard [15][16][17] rhizome extract of C. longa used to quantify the curcumin content. Prepare a series of dilution and the absorption maxima of curcumin will be measured at 425 nm. Curcumin content measured by formula as follows: Curcumin content g/100 g=0.0025 × A 425 × vol. make up × Dilution factor × 100/0.42 × weight of sample × 1000

Estimation of Camphor
C. Caesia and C. aromatica rhizome extracts were used to quantify camphor content. Prepare a series of dilution and the absorption maxima of camphor was measured at 288 nm. Camphor content measured by calibration curve of camphor.

Protein estimation by Lowry's method
Protein can be estimated by method developed from previous study [18]. The stock solution of Lowry's reagent prepared as 2% sodium carbonate in 0.1 N NaOH (Reagent A), 0.5% copper sulphate in 1% potassium sodium tartrate (Reagent B). Mix 50 ml of A and 1 ml of B to prepare alkaline copper solution (Reagent C). Folin-Ciocalteau reagent (Reagent D). Take 500 mg dry rhizome powder of C. longa, C. Caesia, C. aromatica. Add 5 ml of PBS and grind well with a pestle and mortar. Centrifuge at 5000 rpm for 10 min then use the supernatant for protein estimation. Take 100 µl sample and make the volume up to 1 ml. Add 5 ml of reagent C mix well and allow to stand for 10 min then add 0.5 ml of reagent d and incubate at room temperature in dark for 30 min. Blue color is developed by the reduction of the phosphomolybdicphosphotungstic component and absorbance take at 660 nm. Draw the calibration curve of standard BSA and calculate the amount of protein in the sample.

Protein estimation by Bradford method
Preparation of Bradford reagent as 100 mg of Coomassie brilliant blue in 50 ml of 95% ethanol then add 100 ml of concentrated ortho phosphoric acid make up the volume up to 200 ml by DW. Take 1 ml of dye with 4 ml of distilled water for use as working of Bradford reagent. Protein of Curcuma species was extracted in PBS. Add 5 ml of diluted dye to protein sample and mix well allow the color to develop for 10 min. and absorbance was taken at 595 nm. Plot a standard curve of BSA and calculate the protein in experimental sample using the calibration line [19].

Estimation of starch by anthrone
Total carbohydrate content can be determined by the method [20]. Take 200 mg anthrone in 100 ml of ice cold 95% H 2 SO 4 prepare fresh before use. 50 mg of dry rhizome powder of C. longa, C. Caesia, C. aromatica hydrolyse by 2.5 ml of 2.5 N HCl by keeping it in a boiling water bath and make the volume to 50 ml, centrifuge at 5000 rpm for 10 min then collect the supernatant for analysis. Prepare the standard glucose 1 mg/ml stock and prepare the dilution series of glucose and make the volume upto 1 ml in all the tubes. Then add 4 ml of anthrone reagent and heat for eight minutes in boiling water bath and absorbance take at 630 nm. Concentration of carbohydrate was calculated in standard curve of glucose.

Phenol sulphuric acid method for total carbohydrate
The phenol sulphuric acid method to estimate total carbohydrate was described by the method [21,22] with slight modification. Prepare the standard glucose 1 mg/ml by taking (200 μg/ml-25 μg/ml) of working standard. Make up the volume to 1 ml in all the tubes including plant sample prepare in 2.5 N HCl by adding DW. Then add 1 ml of 5% phenol solution to each test tube, add 5 ml of 96% sulphuric acid mix properly and add 5 ml of DW. Heated all the tubes in water bath at 25-30°C for 20 min after cooling read the color intensity at 490 nm. Draw the calibration curve and calculate the amount of carbohydrate present in sample.

Estimation of total free amino acids
In a test sample add 1 ml of ninhydrin solution to each tube mix well and allow the color to develop for 20 min in a boiling water bath add 2 ml distilled water and after 15 min the intensity of the purple color measured against a reagent at 570 nm. Draw the standard graph using absorbance versus concentration find out the concentration of the total free amino acids in the sample and express as percentage equivalent of leucine [23].

Quantification of lipid content
The vanillin reagent was used for estimation of lipid, method described [24] with slight modification. Take 0.25 ml of standard Lipid (Oleic acid) and sample and placed in boiling water bath at 100°C to allow the solvent to evaporate. Add 0.1 ml of concentrated H 2 SO 4 vortex and heated at 100°C for 10 min. Cool the sample and add 2.4 ml of vanillin reagent (100 mg vanillin in 100 ml hot water and 400 ml 85% phosphoric acid) then pink color develop after 5 min, reaction mixture were diluted with 5 ml of DW and read the absorbance at 490 nm.

Spectrophotometric analysis of quantitative estimation of vitamin C
Ascorbic acid was oxidised by copper to form dehydroascorbic acid and diketoglutaric acid. These products when treated with 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) forms the derivative bis-2-4-dinitro phenylhydrazone, which underwent rearrangement to found a product with absorption maximum at 520 nm. Thiourea provided a mild reducing medium that helped to prevent interference from non-ascorbic acid chromogens [25]. In a 5 mg of rhizome powder was treated with 4 ml of 10% TCA then centrifuged for 20 min at 3500 rpm. Take 0.5 ml of supernatant

Ash content determination
Total ash was determined according to previous studies [28]. One grams of well mixed sample were weighed in porcelain crucible of known weight. The crucible ignited at 550°C in a muffle furnace until light gray ash was obtained. The content of the crucible was cooled in desiccator and weighed soon after it reached room temperature. Percentage of ash calculated from the increase in the weight of the crucible.
Ash content was calculated using the following equation: Wt1=weight of the crucible with sample.
Wt2=weight of the crucible with ash.
S=weight of sample.

Protein content determination
Nitrogen content determinations were made on the sample by micro-kjeldahl technique following the method from previous studies [29]. 1 gm of rhizome samples were weight accurately into a micor kjeldahl flask, 0.4 gm of catalyst mixture (90% potassium sulphate and 10% cupric sulphate) and 3.5 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid were added, the flask was placed in the digestion equipment for 3 hours. The sample placed in the distillation apparatus; 20 ml of 40% NaOH were added. The ammonia evolved was received in 10 ml of 2% Boric acid solution. The trapped ammonia is titrated against 0.02 M HCl using universal indicator (methyl red+bromocresol green).

Carbohydrate determination
The carbohydrate content was determined according to previous studies [30] by subtracting the total crude protein, oil, moisture and ash from the total dry matter.

Determination of total polyphenolic content (TPC)
The concentration of total polyphenolic content (TPC) in plant extracts was determined using Folin Ciocalteau method described by previous studies [31] with slight modification. Different regional extract of rhizome of (C. longa, C. Caesia and C. aromatica) in concentration of 1 mg/ml was used for analysis. To 0.4 ml of extract was added to 2 ml of 10% Folin Ciocalteau's reagent and 1.6 ml of 20.25% Sodium carbonate. After shaking the sample were incubated in dark for 2 h. The absorbance were determined using spectrophotometer at 738 nm. The samples and mixed with 0.1 ml DTC reagent (2, 4-dinitrophenyl hydrazinethiourea-copper sulphate reagent). DTC -In 100 ml 9 N H 2 SO 4 , 0.4 g thiourea, 0.05 g copper sulphate and 3.0 g DNPH were dissolved). The tubes were incubated at 37°C for 3 hr. 0.75 ml of ice cold 65% HCl was added and the tubes were allowed to stand at RT an additional 30 min. A set of standards containing 10-50 µg of vitamin C was processed similarly along with a blank containing 0.5 ml of 10% TCA. The color developed was read at 520 nm.

Estimation of carotenoids
Carotenoid content was determined by method given [26]. Dissolve 0.05 g of weighed moisture free rhizome powder (C. longa, C. Caesia, and C. aromatica) dissolve in 2 ml 80% acetone and centrifuge at 5000 rpm for 10 min.

Moisture content
Moisture was determined by the standard [27]. One grams of well-mixed sample were weighed accurately in clean preheated dish of known weight by using sensitive balance. The uncovered sample and dish were kept in an oven provided with a fan at 105°C and let to stay 3 hr. The dish was covered and transferred to a desiccator and weighed after reaching room temperature. The loss of weight was calculated as present of sample weight and expressed as moisture content.

Oil/Fat content determination
Total fat was determined by previous study [28]. One grams of sample were placed in extraction thimple and plugged by a piece of cotton, then the thimple was placed in soxhlet extractor. A dry and accurately weighted flask was fitted to the extractor, then solvent (Petroleum ether) was poured in to the flask, the extractor and condenser was fitted together. Water was allowed to flow through the condenser and heat was applied from an electrical heater, extraction period from 6-8 hr. After that the solvent was distilled off, pour the oil in empty petriplate dried in oven for 30 min at 100°C, cooled and weighed.
The Fat content was calculated according to the following equation. were prepared in triplicates for each analysis and the mean value of absorbance was obtained. The calibration line was constructed by gallic acid as standard. The Total phenolic content were expressed as μg of gallic acid equivalents per mg of sample.

Determination of total flavonoids
Aluminum chloride spectrophotometric method was used for flavonoids determination described by previous studies [32]. Take 250 μl of extracts (1 mg/ml) were mixed with 1.25 ml of distilled water and 75 μl of 5% NaNO 2 solution. After 5 min, 150 μl of 10% AlCl 3 solution was added. After 6 min, 500 μl of 1 M NaOH and 275 μl of distilled water were added to the mixture. The solution was mixed well and the absorbance was read at 510 nm. Different concentrations of Quercetin was used to plot standard curve and the results were expressed as μg of (±) -Quercetin Equivalents per mg of extract (QUEs).

Estimation of Curcumin
Curcumin is one such widely studied pharmaceutical bioactive compound that was first discovered about two centuries ago from the rhizomes of C. longa [33,34]. Curcumin has the potential to treat a wide variety of inflammatory diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, etc. [35]. Yellow color of curcumin was showed maximum absorbance at 425 nm. All regional samples of C. longa showed varying content of curcumin in there rhizome because of lots of environmental and genetic factor. Curcumin content measured in range of BH: 4.35 ± 1.12, NH: 5.21 ± 0.15, MH: 6.68 ± 2.45, SH: 6.51 ± 0.08, and UH: 4.63 ± 0.04 g/100 g.

Estimation of camphor
As compare to C. longa camphor is found abundant in C. Caesia and C. aromatica, therefore in this study we estimate the camphor content in regional samples of same. Camphor is a bioactive compound of many pharmaceutical importance. Camphor concentration in g/100 g obtain in AK- 22

Determination of protein content by Bradford and Lowry's method
The blue color developed by the reduction of the phosphomolybdic phosphotungstic components in the Folin-Ciocalteau by the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan present in the protein and color developed by the biuret reaction of protein with the alkaline cupric tartrate are measured in the Lowry's method [36].
In bradford method protein binds to coomassie brilliant blue G250 and form a complex whose extinction coefficient is much greater than of the free dye.

Starch estimation by anthrone method
Starch present in sample bind to anthrone and forms a green colored product, which can be showed an absorption maximum at 630 nm [37]. The total carbohydrate content of all the Curcuma samples collected from different regions were varied significantly to each other. Anthrone method is most commonly used for estimation of total carbohydrate content. Carbohydrate content of all the three species of Curcuma varied from 767.90 ± 6.3 to 560.64 ± 13.9 μg/mg eq to glucose. The highest starch content was observed in 767.90 ± 6.3 μg/mg of ICA. Rather than lowest amount of starch was observed in MH. Starch present in all the samples were summarized in Table 1.

Total carbohydrate estimation by phenol sulphuric acid
Phenol sulphuric acid method is also used for total carbohydrate estimation of Curcuma. The carbohydrate content was expressed of Curcuma. The carbohydrate content was expressed in terms of eq to glucose (Standard curv Y=0.0011x-0.022, R2=0.956). The carbohydrate content range from 794.54 ± 12.23 to 577.87 ± 6.03 μg/mg eq to glucose. Here that same as anthrone method ICA have highest content of carbohydrate in all among the sample. Minimum concentration of carbohydrate was found to be NH 577.87 ± 6.03. All the values are significant to each other (p< 0.05).

Ninhydrin by leucin free AA test
Ninhydrin, a powerful oxidizing agent, decarboxylates the alpha amino acids and yields an intensely colored bluish purple product which is colorimetrically measured at 570 nm [38,39]. Free Amino acid was found to be varying range in all the regional sample of Curcuma. GA, have a highest concentration of free amino acid. It can be determined by ninhydrin test which bind to free amino acid in the sample and convert yellow to purple color. GA and ICC contain high% of free amino acid with 859 and 830.90 ± 53.6 µg/mg. lowest value was observed in MH Curcuma longa sample with the value range 73.44 ± 1.37 µg/mg.

Lipid estimation by vanillin reagent
Vanillin test is used for estimation of lipid content in the sample. SK observed that high percent of lipid quantity with 4.38 ± 0.01 µg/mg and lowest concentration was found to be JA 0.47 ± 0.02 µg/mg. Varying range of lipid content was noted in all the regional sample and all the result shown in Table 1  three Curcuma species present in table:

Total flavonoid content
The flavonoid content was measured by aluminum chloride spectrophotometric method. Regional variations was observed in TFC with significant difference to each other and also show significant difference as compare to curcumin. Curcumin have a highest flavonoids as compare to others but ESH and ESJ have also contain promising flavonoid content which show much antioxidant potential. TFC value range from 14.10 ± 3.24: 106.8 ± 2.76 μg/mg eq to QUE. Curcumin TFC value 144.57 ± 2.68 μg/ mg eq to QUE. Flavonoid is responsible for antioxidant as well as antimicrobial activity. The order of TFC was as follows: Curcumin >ESH>ESJ>ENH>EBH>EUH>EABJA>EBK>EBA>ERK>ESK>EMH>EM A>EICA>EANK>EICC>EJA>>EAK>EGA.

Conclusion
From the nutritional analysis of Curcuma species, it was found that the rhizome of Curcuma rich in carbohydrate 55-70%, protein 13-19% and crude lipid 2-5%. Therefore, it may be used as potentially attractive source of lipid, protein and carbohydrate. In addition, the rhizome is a good source of vitamin C that are important for our health. The extract is nutritionally rich as it contains some essential vitamins and nutrient needed for body growth. The results of the study support the development of new drugs, which is ecofriendly and safe to health.