• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2022

Curcuminoids in turmeric oleoresin (TO) are known to be effective antioxidants; they exhibit photosensitizing properties under light. In this study, the photoreactive properties of TO and its consequent induction of lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity were evaluated. TO exhibited photosensitizing activities as evidenced by the reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium and by the decolorization of formazan under light, whereas light-irradiated TO did not enhance the levels of reactive oxygen species. The levels of hydroperoxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) were significantly elevated under a fluorescent light (10 W/m²) in corn, canola, and soybean oils containing 10-40 and 20-80 ㎍/mL of TO (p<0.05) but not in olive oil. Canola oil was the most sensitive to photo-oxidation induced by TO. The level of TBARS from linoleic acid in the oil in water system was, however, decreased by TO under light. The cytotoxicity effect of TO on melanoma cells was also substantially enhanced under light.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.693-698
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• 2017

Turmeric is a yellow food-coloring spice containing curcuminoids, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BMC), which have several physiological effects. In the present study, the effect of microwave irradiation on the chemical properties, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity of turmeric were investigated. Degradation of turmeric pigments was accelerated upon increase in irradiation time or intensity at 405 nm. Residual levels of curcumin, DMC, and BMC after 5 minutes of irradiation at 700 W were 11.3, 34.4, and 71.2%, respectively. Scavenging activities of turmeric pigment against 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) peroxyl radical and nitrite were enhanced significantly after microwave radiation. However, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity remained unaffected. Cytotoxic activity of turmeric was significantly reduced, and hydrogen peroxide generated from turmeric increased after microwave irradiation. The results obtained indicate that microwave irradiation affects chemical stability and bioactivity of turmeric pigment. Hence, these effects should be considered when processing foods containing turmeric pigments.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2018

Turmeric oleoresin, extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., is a widely-used natural food colorant. Curcuminoids, the major pigments in turmeric, which include curcumin, demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BMC), possess various physiological activities. In the present study, changes in the chemical properties, antioxidant activities, and cytotoxicity of turmeric pigments upon heating were investigated. Color intensity of turmeric was significantly reduced after heating. Residual levels of curcumin, DMC, and BMC after 15 min of heating at $95^{\circ}C$ were 11.9, 37.4, and 77.3% respectively. Scavenging activities of turmeric against 2,2'-azobis-3-ethyl-benz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-azobis (2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) peroxyl radicals, and nitrite were significantly enhanced after heating, while 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity remained unaffected. Generation of $H_2O_2$ from turmeric was increased via thermal decomposition. Cytotoxicity of turmeric pigments against colon cancer and normal intestinal cells was reduced significantly after heating. The results indicate that thermal processing affects chemical properties and bioactivities of turmeric pigments. These effects should be considered during the processing of foods containing turmeric pigments.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.257-263
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• 2022

Various dietary pigments are added to processed foods to improve their sensory and commercial properties. In this study, autoclave sterilization (121℃ for 15 min at 15 psi) was performed on 34 food pigments, and changes in their color stability and antioxidant activity were analyzed. The autoclaving process drastically reduced the peak color intensities of water-soluble paprika and beet red (BR) by ~90%. Turmeric oleoresin (TO), water-soluble β-carotene, and grape skin color were also unstable and showed a remaining color intensity of 45-60%. The colors of all the synthetic pigments tested were stable under this process. The scavenging activities of BR and paprika against ABTS, DPPH, and AAPH radicals decreased significantly, whereas those of TO were enhanced after the autoclaving treatment. The results suggest that the chemical and bioactive properties of certain dietary pigments are affected by the autoclaving process, and this phenomenon should be considered during food processing.