Curcumin is the main biologically active phytochemical compound of Turmeric. It is extracted, concentrated, standardized and researched. Curcumin, which gives the yellow color to turmeric, was first isolated almost two centuries ago, and its structure as diferuloylmethane was determined in 1910. Extensive research within the last half a century has proven that its renowned range of medicinal properties, once associated with Turmeric, is due to Curcumin.
Curcumin is a water-soluble orange-yellow coloured powder. Today, India is the primary exporter of turmeric (known as haldi in India). Curcumin is one of three curcuminoids of turmeric. Theother two curcuminoids are demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Curcumin is the main biologically active phytochemical compound of Turmeric. Molecular chemical formula of Curcumin: C21H20O6.
Global cancer drugs market has surpassed USD 100 billion valuation in 2015 and may reach nearly USD 145 billion by 2024, with U.S. being the major consumer. U.S. herbal dietary supplements market was over USD 6 billion valuation in 2015, with estimated gains at over 7.5%. Rise in consumer awareness related to over the counter availability owing to favorable government regulations should enhance curcumin demand. India is one of the largest manufacturers of curcumin, contributing to more than 80.0% of the global production, which is on account of presence of large scale turmeric cultivations. Low consumer awareness of curcumin as a healthy ingredient in India results in majority of it being exported to North America and Europe. India dominates the global market for spice oleoresin, which is in big demand from processed food and fragrance industries that now mostly prefer natural colouring and flavouring agents to artificial ones as consumers become increasingly health conscious.
Few Indian major players are as under:
· Akay Flavours & Aromatics Pvt. Ltd.
· Arjuna Natural Extracts Ltd.
· Biomax Life Sciences Ltd.
· Concert Spices & Exports Ltd.
· Enjayes Spices & Chemical Oils Ltd.
· Naturite Agro Products Ltd.