Investigative and collaborative experimental activities using simple purification of curcuminoids by column chromatography

Abstract

This work describes the use of turmeric in the teaching concepts and laboratory techniques of organic chemistry to students in introductory classes of licentiate, bachelor’s and industrial chemistry courses, as well as to pharmacy and chemical engineering students at Universidade Federal Fluminense, in Niterói/RJ/Brazil. Considering investigative and collaborative activities and Vygotsky theory, the discussed concepts were everyday natural products, green chemistry, purification and separation of organic substances, molecular interactions, organic compound extraction techniques, and thin-layer and column chromatography. The activities were applied for four 3-hour classes for 31 students in 7 introductory organic chemistry laboratory classes for Chemistry and for 43 students in 4 experimental organic chemistry classes for Pharmacy and Chemical Engineering courses, in the years 2022–23. The teaching-learning process methodology involved 4 moments/classes: a) discussions about organic chemistry; b) discontinuous extraction of turmeric and thin-layer chromatography; c) column chromatography; and d) discussions about results and the learning process. After the sequence of classes, it was possible to observe the students’ motivation with the ease of separating curcuminoids and the understanding of the relationship between theoretical concepts and practice, as well as the understanding of the importance of low waste production.