Effect of curing and drying methods on recovery, curcumin and essential oil content of different cultivars of turmeric (Curcuma longa L)

This investigation deals with the effect of curing and drying methods on the recovery, curcumin content and essential oil content in different turmeric cultivars. The Krishna cultivars were best among the three cultivars on the basis of physico-chemical analysis whereas, Salem and Tekurpeta had higher values for colour. The fingers cured with improved method loose moisture at faster rate than uncured and cured with traditional method. The fingers of Salem cultivar cured with improved method followed by shade-net drying had got higher recovery. The essential oil content of three cultivars was unaffected by the curing and drying methods.