Curcuma Oleoresin

#### Curcuma Oleoresin. This flavor material is produced from the **Curcuma**** **rhizome (see **Curcuma**** ****Oil)**** **by extraction with a volatile solvent, usually petroleum ether, ethyl ether or, in special cases with diluted ethyl alcohol. The hydro-alcoholic extract can be considered as similar to the conventional pharmaceutical extract of curcuma. The hydrocarbon-solvent extracts of curcuma are not soluble in water. The hydro-alcoholic extract is soluble in diluted alcohol but not in concentrated alcohol, nor in water. A well-known hydro-alcoholic extract is marketed under the brand name of Tumerol (not to be confused with the sesquiterpene alcohol turmerol. The extract contains mainly Turmerone which is the ketone corresponding to turmerol). **Curcuma Oleoresin **is a dark yellow to brownish- yellow, viscous mass of faint odor reminiscent of the odor of the spice. Solvent odor should not be perceptible. The oleoresin is used in flavor work as a replacement for the powdered rhizome. It is by far superior in this respect to the essential oil of curcuma. The flavor of the oleoresin is richer, more woody-sweet, free from terpene-like notes, resembling ginger oleoresin but less pungent than this. An **Absolute**** ****of**** ****Curcuma**** **has been produced from the oleoresin by the usual alcohol-washing method. The absolute is a viscous, brownish- yellow liquid. Its odor resembles that of the oil but the absence of terpenes in the absolute is distinctly perceptible in its odor: a soft, spicy-woody, warm and mellow, tenacious fragrance. It blends excellently with cassie, mimosa, methylionones, cedar- wood derivatives, sage clary, heliotropine, etc. **Curcuma**** ****Absolute**** **is not a regularly produced flavor and perfume material.