Quality evaluation of turmeric capsules prepared in Thai hospitals

Turmeric rhizome capsules are popularly used for treatment of flatulent and dyspepsia.Standardized turmeric is recommended by Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia (THP). This study evaluated physical and chemical properties, i.e. weight variation, disintegration time, contents of moisture, volatile oil, total curcuminoid and microbial contamination, of turmeric capsules prepared by 10 different hospitals in Thailand. The results revealed that weight variation, disintegration time and moisture content of all samples were conformed with the THP standard while 90% of the samples contained volatile oil and total curcuminoids within the recommended amounts. For microbial contamination, 70% of samples contained exceeded amounts of total aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds. However, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium spp. were not found in all samples. The results showed that most of turmeric capsules prepared in hospitals in Thailand have high standards in terms of physical and chemical qualities. However, a sanitary in manufacturing process of turmeric capsules has to be more concern.