Abstract:
An experiment was conducted at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya during 2008-2009 to study the changes in antioxidant phytochemicals of 12 turmeric varieties at different stages of harvesting (150, 180, 210 and 240 DAP). The highest yield per plant was recorded in the variety Megha Turmeric (692.67 g), the highest harvest index (95.30 %) and moisture content (92.70 %) was recorded from the variety Narendra Haldi while the variety Alleppy Supreme recorded highest (11.80 %) curcumin content. The maximum curing percentage (23.20 %) was observed in Kedaram and the maximum ascorbic acid content (57.87 mg/lOOg) was recorded from the variety Kasturi Tanaka and ? carotene content was highest (4332.70 mg/100g) in the variety Kedaram. The colour value was measured using Hunter Lab Colour Quest XE Colorimeter where the lightness (L) value was highest in the variety Jorhat Local (59.82), redness (a) value was recorded highest from the variety Kedaram (41.98) while maximum yellowness (b) value was observed highest in the variety Jorhat Local (34.82) and the maximum colour differene (?E) was recorded from the variety Lakadong (6.96). The total phenol content was recorded highest (266.33 mg/100g) in the variety Alleppy Supreme and the antioxidant activity (FRAP) and (BCO) were recorded highest in the varieties Alleppy Supreme (16.60 umol Trolox/g) and Jorhat Local (89.01%), respectively. In correlation studies, no significant and positive correlation was observed between curcumin content and antioxidant activity.

Includes bibliographical references.