Abstract

To investigate the mineral composition of Curcuma longa dried rhizomes. Activity directed mineral composition investigation of C. longa rhizomes using in vitro methods. The study was carried out at the medicinal plants section of National Root Crop Research Institute Umudike in Abia State, Nigeria. C. longa rhizomes were separately washed dried (at room temperature) and pulverized. The powdered rhizomes were then used for proximate analysis and mineral composition investigation. Values obtained for the proximate analysis of C. longa were; moisture (76.02%), carbohydrate (16.37%), ash (3.04%), crude fibre (1.95%), proteins (1.83%), and fat (0.80%) respectively. There was also a significant increase (P<0.05) in the percentage moisture content of C. longa rhizome. Mineral composition analysis of the rhizomes of C. longa gave the following values; iron (0.57%) > potassium (0.42%) > magnesium (0.05%) > phosphorus (0.03%) > calcium (0.02%) > sodium (0.01%) respectively. The current study revealed that C. longa rhizomes have high moisture content and is rich in steroids, anthraquinones and terpenes. Therefore, C. longa could be screened and investigated for novel pharmacologically active compounds to combat degenerative diseases for possible integration into the healthcare.