Curcumin and trace elements in turmeric capsules
What it found
In 30 turmeric capsule samples, curcumin levels ranged from 0.03 g/100 g to 37.6 g/100 g, and several trace elements were detected.
The authors say turmeric products need careful marketing to ensure quality, efficacy and safety.
What they found
Curcumin levels varied
Curcumin in the 30 turmeric capsule samples ranged from 0.03 g/100 g to 37.6 g/100 g.
Trace elements detected
Most trace elements were found at low levels, but barium reached up to 23.48 mg/kg and lead up to 0.619 mg/kg. Antimony and mercury were below the limits of quantification.
No link found
The interaction between curcumin and the trace elements was complex, and no direct relationship was found between them.
Daily curcumin intake
The estimated daily intake of curcumin ranged from 0.004 to 2.684 mg/kg of body weight. Of the 30 samples, 13 were below 10% of the acceptable daily intake, 12 were between 10% and 50%, and three were above 50%.
Cobalt contribution
For trace elements, cobalt showed the highest contribution, at 2.72% of the health-based guidance value set by EFSA.
What the authors conclude
“A careful approach in marketing turmeric-based products is fundamental to ensure their quality, efficacy, and safety for consumers.”
Also in their conclusions
- They state that a careful approach in marketing turmeric-based products is fundamental to ensure their quality, efficacy, and safety for consumers.
How it was done
Turmeric is valued for its colouring, flavour, functionality, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which help prevent various diseases.
They measured curcumin and ten trace elements in 30 samples of turmeric capsules. Curcumin was measured by spectrophotometry and trace elements by ICP-MS after acid digestion.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This study looked at the content of turmeric capsules, not at what happens when people take them.
- It cannot show whether the curcumin or trace element levels found in these samples affect health.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
- Authors work at
- University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil; Institute of Food Technology, Brazil; Adolfo Lutz Institute, Brazil
The paper
- Title
- Turmeric products: Evaluation of curcumin and trace elements
- Type
- Study
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Andrekowisk Fioravanti MI, Peixoto Pizano F, Rebellato AP, Milani RF, Morgano MA, Pavesi Arisseto Bragotto A (2024). Turmeric products: Evaluation of curcumin and trace elements. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.). doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2024.115028PubMed 39614547DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error