Curcumin
Curcumin
Purity Levels
Up to 95% Curcuminoids by HPLC (custom specifications available)
Extraction Technologies
Mechotech designs and manufactures turnkey curcumin extraction plants that process turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome into a consistent curcuminoid extract — standardised up to 95% Curcuminoids by HPLC — for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, and fragrance industries. Candidate extraction technologies for curcuminoids and turmerones: Counter-Current Extraction (CCE), Supercritical CO₂ Extraction (SCFE), Subcritical Water Extraction (SWE), Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE), Hybrid Extraction and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) (7 in total).
Curcumin is heat-, light-, and oxidation-sensitive, and the curcuminoid yield depends heavily on solvent choice and closed-loop handling — generic extraction equipment struggles to hit pharma-grade purity consistently. Mechotech's plant is engineered around this chemistry: built in SS 316L with integrated solvent recovery, automation, and full documentation, each plant is delivered as a commissioned turnkey system configured to the declared curcuminoid specification. Mechotech is a turnkey extraction and distillation plant manufacturer and exporter based in Hyderabad, India. Where a project calls for it, extraction can also be engineered around supercritical CO2, ultrasound-assisted, or microwave-assisted methods in addition to the standard solvent-extraction route above — available on request and scoped during process design. The plant is built around the curcumin extraction tank, filtration system, and vacuum concentrator described in the process below, engineered together as a single integrated line.
Technical Specifications
| Product | Curcumin (Curcuminoid) Extraction Plant |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Curcuma longa |
| Feedstock | Turmeric rhizome |
| Part / Feed Form | Rhizome |
| Target Extract | Curcuminoids and turmerones |
| Extract Type | Standardised curcuminoid powder |
| Standardisation | Up to 95% Curcuminoids by HPLC (custom specifications available) |
| Extraction Method | Counter-current, CO2, SWE, UAE, EAE, Hybrid, MAE |
| Technology Count | 7 |
| Extraction Conditions | Closed-loop solvent extraction (ethanol, acetone or hydro-alcoholic blends) |
| Solvent Recovery | Closed-loop recovery via condenser return system |
| Product-contact Material | SS 316L, CIP-cleanable, electropolished |
| Filtration System | Plate-and-frame filter press, centrifugal separator, cartridge polish filters |
| Concentration System | Falling-film / vacuum concentrator |
| Drying System | Spray dryer or vacuum dryer |
| Automation | Configurable — manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic PLC-SCADA |
| Utility Requirements | Steam, chilled/cooling water, compressed air, power (project-specific) |
| Compliance | GMP hygienic design; full documentation for qualification |
| Final Product Form | Free-flowing standardised curcuminoid powder |
| Plant Capacity | Reference project: 10 MT/day of turmeric rhizomes (see the Curcumin Extraction Plant case study) |
Plant Capacities
| Plant Scale | Raw Material Throughput | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot | Configured to your feedstock and trial plan | Product development, parameter validation |
| Semi-Commercial | Configured between pilot and commercial scale | Contract manufacturing, scale-up trials |
| Commercial | Reference project: 10 MT/day of turmeric rhizomes | Commercial production at confirmed buyer volume |
The commercial figure is the reference project described in the Curcumin Extraction Plant case study. Capacity is configured to raw-material supply and confirmed buyer volume; we recommend a pilot plant to validate process parameters before scaling.
Manufacturing Process
Each extraction method follows a different process — pick a method to see its steps.
Raw-Material Preparation
Turmeric rhizome is cleaned and size-reduced so curcuminoids can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Counter-Current Loading
Prepared turmeric rhizome is fed into a multi-stage solid–liquid counter-current extractor where fresh ethanol/water or a suitable food-grade solvent meets the most-depleted material.
Counter-Current Extraction
Solvent flows against the solids across stages to draw out curcuminoids; bed flow and fines management are verified during pilot work.
Extract (Miscella) Collection
The curcuminoids-bearing miscella is collected from the fresh-feed end while spent solids are discharged from the solvent-entry end.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
Solvent is removed from the clarified curcuminoids-bearing extract under vacuum and returned through a solvent-recovery loop; recovery performance is confirmed at pilot scale.
Standardisation & Drying
The curcuminoids extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Raw-Material Conditioning
Turmeric rhizome is cleaned and conditioned so turmerones are accessible to supercritical CO₂; moisture and particle size are set during process development.
Extraction Vessel Loading
Conditioned turmeric rhizome is charged into the high-pressure extraction vessel.
Supercritical CO₂ Extraction
Supercritical CO₂ passes through the charge and dissolves turmerones; an ethanol modifier can be evaluated where polar fractions are also required, and operating pressure and temperature are set in process development.
Separator Collection
Pressure is reduced in separator stages so the extracted turmerones drop out of the CO₂ and are collected.
CO₂ Recycle
Gaseous CO₂ is re-liquefied and recirculated to the extractor, limiting make-up gas demand.
Finishing & Packing
The collected turmerones are polished by filtration as needed and packed to the required specification.
Raw-Material Preparation
Turmeric rhizome is cleaned and size-reduced so curcuminoids can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Vessel Loading & Pressurisation
Prepared turmeric rhizome and water are loaded into a pressure-rated extraction vessel.
Subcritical Water Extraction
Water held liquid under pressure at elevated temperature extracts curcuminoids without an organic solvent; temperature and residence time are set to limit thermal degradation and hydrolysis.
Separation
Spent solids are separated by filtration or centrifugation and the extract is clarified before concentration.
Concentration
The clarified aqueous extract is concentrated under vacuum or by membrane systems where required; no organic solvent is used in this route.
Recovery, Standardisation & Drying
The curcuminoids fraction is recovered from the concentrate by a route selected during process development and checked against the target specification; drying behaviour is verified because polysaccharide-type targets can be heat-sensitive.
Raw-Material Preparation
Turmeric rhizome is cleaned and size-reduced so curcuminoids can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Slurrying
Prepared turmeric rhizome is slurried with ethanol/water or water in the extraction vessel.
Ultrasonic Cavitation
Ultrasound creates cavitation that disrupts the plant matrix and speeds release of curcuminoids; probe intensity, temperature and filtration behaviour are piloted.
Separation
Spent solids are separated by filtration or centrifugation and the extract is clarified before concentration.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
Solvent is removed from the clarified curcuminoids-bearing extract under vacuum and returned through a solvent-recovery loop; recovery performance is confirmed at pilot scale.
Standardisation & Drying
The curcuminoids extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Raw-Material Preparation
Turmeric rhizome is cleaned and size-reduced so curcuminoids can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Slurry & pH Control
Prepared turmeric rhizome is slurried in water with pH and temperature set for the enzyme system.
Enzymatic Treatment
An enzyme (for example a cellulase, pectinase or protease, selected for the turmeric rhizome matrix) breaks down bound cell-wall material to release curcuminoids; enzyme cost and specificity are validated at pilot scale.
Enzyme Inactivation & Separation
The enzyme is inactivated and spent solids are separated by filtration or centrifugation.
Concentration
The clarified aqueous extract is concentrated under vacuum or by membrane systems where required; no organic solvent is used in this route.
Recovery, Standardisation & Drying
The curcuminoids fraction is recovered from the concentrate by a route selected during process development and checked against the target specification; drying behaviour is verified because polysaccharide-type targets can be heat-sensitive.
Raw-Material Preparation
Turmeric rhizome is cleaned and size-reduced so curcuminoids can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Stage Sequence Selection
A deliberate combined extraction train is used: the sequence of stages is selected for curcuminoids in pilot screening and each stage is designed separately.
First Assisted Stage
The first stage releases curcuminoids from the prepared feed under controlled conditions set for that stage.
Second / Combined Stage
The second stage completes recovery of curcuminoids from the partially extracted material; stage conditions are optimised separately.
Separation & Concentration
Spent solids are removed and the combined extract is clarified and concentrated; solvent is recovered where a solvent is used.
Standardisation & Drying
The curcuminoids extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Raw-Material Preparation
Turmeric rhizome is cleaned and size-reduced so curcuminoids can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Medium Mixing
Prepared turmeric rhizome is mixed with ethanol/water or water in the microwave extraction vessel.
Microwave Heating & Extraction
Controlled microwave heating drives curcuminoids out of the prepared feed in a short cycle; heating, moisture, solvent safety and temperature-sensitive targets are controlled, with limits set during process development and pilot validation.
Separation
Spent solids are separated by filtration or centrifugation and the extract is clarified before concentration.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
Solvent is removed from the clarified curcuminoids-bearing extract under vacuum and returned through a solvent-recovery loop; recovery performance is confirmed at pilot scale.
Standardisation & Drying
The curcuminoids extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Major Plant Equipment
- Raw material cleaning system
- Hammer mill
- Stainless-steel jacketed extraction vessels
- Solvent storage tanks
- Extraction pumps
- Pressure leaf filters
- Plate & frame filter press
- Centrifugal separator
- Vacuum evaporator / falling-film concentrator
- Multi-stage condensers
- Crystallisers
- Industrial centrifuges
- Spray dryer / vacuum tray dryer
- Pulveriser & blending system
- Solvent recovery unit
- CIP (clean-in-place) system
- PLC-SCADA automation, electrical MCC & instrumentation
Plant Output
Case Study
Curcumin Extraction Plant — Turnkey 95% HPLC-Grade Project
See how this plant was engineered and delivered for a real project.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical standardised ingredient supply
- Nutraceutical capsule, tablet, and supplement manufacturing
- Natural food colour and flavour applications
- Cosmetic and personal care active ingredients
- Ayurvedic and traditional medicine preparations
- Export to regulated-market ingredient buyers
Key Features
GMP Hygienic SS 316L Construction
Electropolished SS 316L product-contact surfaces use GMP hygienic design, with CIP operation between batches.
Closed-Loop Solvent Recovery
Integrated recovery returns the solvent for reuse within the process; recovery performance is established during process development.
Standardised to Specification
In-process and batch-release HPLC assay are used to check the finished curcumin extract against its declared curcuminoid specification, including 95% Curcuminoids by HPLC grades.
Integrated Drying
A matched spray/vacuum dryer produces a free-flowing, low-moisture powder ready for encapsulation and blending.
Scalable Batch Capacity
Plants are configured to raw-material supply and confirmed buyer volume; the reference project processes 10 MT/day of turmeric rhizomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mechotech supply the complete machinery for curcumin extraction?
What curcuminoid purity can the plant achieve?
What solvents are used in curcumin extraction?
What production capacities are available for the curcumin plant?
Which industries use the curcumin extraction plant?
Do you also supply specialised curcumin formats like nano curcumin or tetrahydrocurcumin?
What is the difference between curcumin and turmeric oleoresin?
How do I set up a curcumin extraction plant?
Is "curcumin oleoresin" the same as curcumin?
What are curcuminoids?
How much does a curcumin extraction plant cost?
How do I choose the right curcumin extraction plant?
Which plant part or feed form does the turmeric rhizome plant process?
Which extraction technologies are suitable for turmeric rhizome?
Why do the candidate technologies target curcuminoids and turmerones when the specification on this page is up to 95% curcuminoids by HPLC?
How does the turmeric rhizome extraction process work?
What equipment does the turmeric rhizome extraction plant include?
Which related Mechotech extraction pages cover the same material or target?
What equipment is used for curcumin extraction?
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