TLC based biochemical diversity analysis among local black turmeric (Curcuma caesia Roxb.) germplasm

In present study the 24 black turmeric germplasm were collected from Madhya Pradesh and evaluated for their phytochemical characterization. The rhizome powdered samples were continuously extracted using a soxhlet apparatus with ethanol and 95% ethanol, respectively. Quantification and qualitative evaluation of curcumin was done using Thin layer Chromatography which shows the presence of different curcumin concentration in all black turmeric germplasm. The presence of different spots in the various extract is in line with qualitative analysis which indicated that cucurmin extracts of black turmeric constituted different phytochemical compounds with different Rf values The retention factor (Rf) values and heights for three curcuminoids Curcumin I (Curcumin), Curcumin II (Demethoxycurcumin), and Curcumin III (Bisdemethoxycurcumin) were assessed across 24 plant genotypes and a standard to evaluate the separation efficiency and variability of curcuminoid content among the genotypes. Curcumin I displayed the highest Rf values, indicating it possesses the least polarity of the three compounds, while Curcumin III demonstrated the lowest Rf values, signifying its greater polarity. The control standard values were within the observed range for each curcuminoid, confirming the method's reproducibility. Notable differences in the heights and Rf values among the genotypes highlight the diversity in curcuminoid content.