The formulation of curcumin preparations with enhanced bioavailability for manufacturing in Vietnam

Turmeric, from the ground rhizomes of Curcuma longa, is a spice used in cooking in India and south Asia as well as in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. Curcumin, extracted from turmeric, has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and has been used for the prevention and treatment of cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease.

The climate and soil on higher ground in Vietnam (16 million ha) is suitable to cultivate Curcuma longa, and the aim of this work is to develop products derived from this crop that can be marketed globally. Curcumin is poorly absorbed when given as a tablet or capsule, its limited solubility being a major factor. This work will develop a curcumin containing tablet or capsule using soluble carriers or dispersible oils that are acceptable, stable and optimise bioavailability. These will be required to be manufactured sustainably (in terms of environmental and economic factors) within Vietnam using locally available materials.

The aim of the project is

To develop formulations with enhanced curcumin bioavailability relative to those currently available on the market, using the following approaches: enhanced milling and ordered mixes with water soluble carriers and surfactants; amorphous solid dispersions, water soluble complexes, capsules with water dispersible fills and solid microcapsules using complex coacervation techniques.

To manufacture and evaluate these formulations on the small scale.


To investigate formulation and scaling up in Vietnam, to consider changes to the formulation and substitution of materials for local manufacture.


To develop proposal for future curcumin products with enhanced bioavailability, such as by avoiding the enteral route of administration, e.g. using the oromucosal route including investigating the clinical effects of these with regard to a range of diseases.