Isolation of the colouring matter from dried turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) with ethyl acetate

Curcuma longa L. (syn C. domestica Val.) rhizomes were extracted with ethyl acetate; the miscella was partially desolventized and the curcuminoids precipitated at ca 25° C. The work‐up afforded pigments in 2.77% yield with colour value 14300 equivalent to 90.42% curcumin and demonstrated the use of ethyl acetate, which has a benign toxicological profile, for the recovery of the turmeric colourant.