Extraction, Characterization, and Usage of Turmeric Curcumin for Color Coating of Metronidazole Tablets

Abstract

Curcumin is a chemical compound produced by Curcuma longa plants that is widely used as a coloring agent and a dietary supplement and has some therapeutic activity. Our aim is to evaluate the use of curcumin as color coating material for metronidazole tablets. Curcumin was extracted at higher yields from three different samples of turmeric plants. The extract obtained was characterized by Infrared Red Spectroscopy (IR), Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and ash content and melting point (MP). The curcumin produced has an MP content ranging from 182 ° C to 184 ° C and an ash content ranging from 1.5 to 3.17 %. Curcumin material was used as a colorful agent for the coating of metronidazole tablet pills using spray coating technology. Experimental results have shown that curcumin-coated metronidazole tablets exhibit strong color stability even at higher temperatures, and that the taste of bitterness in metronidazole pills has been reduced or has disappeared entirely.

Curcumin Extraction, Isolation, Quantification and Its Application in Functional Foods: A Review With a Focus on Immune Enhancement Activities and COVID-19

“…Despite many drawbacks such as high temperatures, high operating times, and high organic solvent use, the traditional extraction method is commonly used due to its simple procedures and low operating costs (127,135,136). Identification and quantification of bioactive compounds are accompanied by the use of one or more chromatography techniques such as thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and ultra-HPLC with a mass spectrometer (MS) (66,(136)(137)(138)(139)(140). Sample preparation is a basic step followed prior to the extraction of the desired bioactive compound.…”

“…The most commonly used extraction process for curcumin is the traditional method due to its low cost of operation and simple handling. Among the different extraction processes, the reflux method of powdered turmeric with dichloromethane achieved higher extraction yields ranging from 81.81 to 86.36% (138). However, as a green extraction technology, the subcritical water extraction method also raises extraction yields to 76% compared to other modern extraction techniques (137,143).…”