https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9397-6357
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Abstract
The ubiquity and versatility of curcumin (CUR) as a bioactive compound found in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals create the need for its obtainment in the purest forms from the parent plants, especially Curcuma longa. To have efficient synthesis, extraction, and purification of CUR, environmentally sustainable, green, cost-affordable, and safe methods are of immense significance. To this end, we consider recent advancements in CUR extraction, purification, and biosynthesis in this review. The conventional and novel high-throughput techniques employed in CUR extraction including enzyme-assisted, microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, pressurized liquid (subcritical), supercritical fluid, pulsed electric fields-assisted, and ionic liquids-based extraction techniques were comprehensively discussed. The chemical/bio-syntheses of CUR were considered, and the recent advancements in metabolic engineering strategies to enhance the production of CUR were deliberated. Furthermore, novel technologies associated with CUR purification, such as column chromatography, semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, high-speed counter-current chromatography, preparative supercritical fluid chromatography, and crystallization were discussed in detail. We concluded by discussing the pilot scale and industrial production and food applications of CUR.
Graphical Abstract
Author contributions
Conceptualization: SMJ. Writing: TJA, ACK, and AR. Revision: TJA and SMJ. Final draft: SMJ.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Abbreviations
| EE | = | extraction efficiency |
| EAE | = | enzyme-assisted extraction |
| MAE | = | microwave-assisted extraction |
| UAE | = | ultrasound-assisted extraction |
| PLE | = | pressurized liquid (subcritical) extraction |
| SFE | = | supercritical fluid extraction |
| PEF | = | pulsed electric fields-assisted extraction |
| ILE | = | ionic liquids-based extraction |
| CC | = | column chromatography |
| SPHPLC | = | semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography |
| HSCCC | = | high-speed counter-current chromatography |
| SFC | = | preparative supercritical fluid chromatography |
| dwb | = | dry weight basis |
| NADES | = | natural deep eutectic solvents |
| PAL | = | phenylalanine ammonia-lyase |
| C4H | = | cinnamate 4-hydroxylase |
| 4CL | = | 4-coumaroyl CoA ligase |
| CHS | = | chalcone synthase |
| CHI | = | chalcone isomerase |
| F3′H | = | flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase |
| CURS | = | CUR synthase |
| MYB | = | Myb proto-oncogene, transcription factor |
| bHLH | = | basic helix-loop-helix |
| WD40 | = | beta-transducin repeat, a circular structure-forming protein domain |
| MAPK | = | mitogen-activated protein kinase |
| CRISPR | = | clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats |
| Cas9 | = | CRISPR-associated protein |
| HPLC | = | high-performance liquid chromatography |
| HIC | = | hydrophobic interaction chromatography |
| SEC | = | size exclusion chromatography |