Curcumin, the major yellow-colored pigment in turmeric(Curcuma longa L.), was extracted by using supercritical carbon dioxide. Optimum extraction conditions were determined. Overall experiments were planned by central composite design and results were analyzed by response surface methodology to find effects of three independent variables, temperature(X1), co-solvent flow rate(X2) and pressure(X3) on the yield of curcumin extract(Y). Regression model optimized by response surface analysis was as follows Y = -8.581270 + 0.220770X1 + 1.176731X2 + 0.036873X3 + -0.0026816X12 - 0.013010X2X1 - 0.103353X22 + 0.000198X3X1 - 0.0000825X3X2 - 0.000096554X32. Optimum temperature, pressure and co-solvent flow rate for extracting curcumin from turmeric were 40.31oC, 3.07 ml/min and 231.59bar, respectively, and statistical maximum yield of curcumin was 1.922%.

울금에 들어 있는 curcumin성분의 추출조건 확립 및 HPLC에 의한 최적 분석조건과 쓴맛성분 제거방법 등을 검토한 결과, 메탄올에서 흡수파장은 424 nm 부근에서 최대흡광도를 보였으며, HPLC의 최적 분석조건은 UV 424nm에서 Zorbax eclipse column을 사용하여 분석할 경우, 이동상은 75% MeOH, 유속 0.8 mL/min에서 가장 좋은 분리 결과를 보였다. Curcumin 성분은 메탄올추출물이 가장 높은 함유량을