PCR Based Detection of Adulteration in the Market Samples of Turmeric Powder

Abstract This article describes an efficient, relatively original method for the detection of extraneous Curcuma Sp. contamination in the powdered market samples of turmeric using molecular markers (RAPD), which are not easily discriminated by other analytical techniques routinely used for the identification of adulterants in powdered market samples of turmeric. Three market samples of turmeric powder studied revealed the presence of more Curcuma zedoaria (wild species) powder than Curcuma longa (the common culinary turmeric) powder, though the curcumin levels of the samples tallied with the quality standards prescribed for the commodity.