ABSTRACT
Turmeric has been used as a spice and a medicine in traditional Thai and Indonesian medicine since ancient times. It contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and anti-bacterial properties. As both Thailand and Indonesian are producers of turmeric in the world market, this makes the sharing of this resource and the creation of trade bargain possible. However, the geographical area may have an impact on the medicinal properties of this plant. Therefore, this article aims to study curcumin content and some biological properties of turmeric, including its antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties, by using in vitro experiments. Turmeric samples were collected from Madura Island, Indonesia and from Ubonratchathani Province, Thailand during May–June 2015. Curcumin content was measured by using the UV spectrum. Antioxidant activity was measured by using DPPH assay. The experimental data showed that turmeric samples collected from Indonesia and Thailand contain similar curcumin content and biological properties. From the data from this study, it can be concluded that sharing of the turmeric resource between the studied areas is possible, not only for material use but also for scientific knowledge.
