Curcumin and essential oil contents of some commonly grown turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cultivars in Maharashtra

Six important cultivars (cvs.) and two wild relatives of unprocessed turmeric (Curcuma longa L) were examined separately from mother rhizomes and fingers for their curcumin and essential oil contents. The curcumin contents in mother rhizomes of all cultivars were comparatively more than those present in fingers except 'Rajapuri', The mother rhizomes of 'Mydukur' and fingers of 'Salem' exhibited the highest curcumin content among all other cultivars, The highest essential oil content was observed in mother rhizomes of 'Mydukur' and fingers of 'Salem'. The curcumin and essential oil contents in Ranahalada is quite comparable with other six cultivars. The wild Ambehalada is neither a good source of curcumin nor of essential oil.