Spectroscopic analysis of rhizomes of black turmeric (Curcuma caesia)

Traditional medicines are one of the primary healthcares for majority of people. The color of Black turmeric (Curcuma caesia) rhizome is generally of bluish-black and has been used for its unique medicinal and religious properties. Thus in the present paper, we have performed spectroscopic investigations on rhizomes of black turmeric (Curcuma caesia) using multi-spectroscopic technique such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and Ultra-violet Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy to know its chemical constituents. FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy has been used to know the molecular constituents and on the other hand LIBS technique is used for the elemental analysis of the rhizomes of black turmeric. LIBS study showed the presence of mineral elements particularly barium (Ba), silicon (Si), carbon (C), magnesium (Mg), and chlorine (Cl) in the rhizome samples. PL spectra of black turmeric have also been studied. Our results also revealed that FTIR and LIBS are promising, simple, and accurate analytical techniques to study the plant materials of biological importance without destroying it.