Botanical Name - Curcuma Longa Common Name - Yellow Zedoar/Mango Ginger Other Name - Haldi Part Used - Roots Uses - Textile Dyeing, Food And Natural Paints Turmeric is one of the oldest natural colouring agents used throughout the world from ancient time because of its unique bright yellow colour and antiseptic property too. Curcuma Longa L. belongs to the family Zingiberaceae, which is commonly known as Turmeric or Haldi. This herb is of bright yellow because it contains the Curcuminoids Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin and Bisdemethoxycurcumin Curcumin is a diphenolic compound that exerts anti- inflammatory action. The Curcumin is the main colouring constituent of the turmeric and it is reported that its content varies from 2-8% depending on the variety and habitat. The procedure for the extraction of pure curcumin is altogether different depending upon the type of application eg. general or therapeutic purpose. The addition of natural and metallic mordants to the extracts improves the durability of the turmeric dye on the fabric.
