[Latin Name] Curcuma longa L.

[Plant Source] Root From India

[Specification] Curcuminoids 95% HPLC

[Appearance] Yellow powder

Plant Part Used: Root

[Particle size]80Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

[What is Curcuma Longa?]

Turmeric is an herbaceous plant known scientifically as Curcuma longa. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, which includes ginger. Tumeric has rhizomes rather than true roots, which are the primary source of commercial value for this plant. Tumeric originates from southwest India, where it has been a stable of Siddha medicine for thousands of years. It is also a common spice in Indian cuisine and is often used as flavoring for Asian mustards.

Found an amazing vid that shows every bit of happenings inside a cell with bright and vivid graphic presentation.

Notes:
Cell – the smallest unit of life. It takes up useful molecules and gets rid of waste molecules. It breaks down larger molecules to produce usable energy in the form of ATP molecules, where energy was stored, to synthesize other larger molecules. Big molecules are CONSTANTLY being breaking down into small molecules and the pieces used to make big molecules again, a process called ‘turnover’.

Selectin – any of a family of sugar-binding lectins that are found on the surface of cells (as endothelial cells and white blood cells) and that promote their adhesion to other cells and mediate their migration to sites of inflammation.

Leukocytes – white blood cell

Chemokine – any of a group of chemotactic cytokines that are produced by various cells (as at sites of inflammation), that are thought to provide directional cues for the movement of white blood cells (as T cells, monocytes, and neutrophils), and that include some playing a role in HIV infection because the cell surface receptors to which they bind are also used by specific strains of HIV for entry into cells.

Proteoglycan – any of a class of glycoproteins of high molecular weight that are found in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue, are made up mostly of carbohydrate consisting of various polysaccharide side chains linked to a protein, and resemble polysaccharides rather than proteins in their properties.

2 classes of receptors –
Ligand-gated ion channel
G protein-coupled receptor

Mitochondria – an organelle which break down nutrients such as glucose and provide the cell with energy to perform its function.

Membrane – defines the boundary of the cell and consists of a double layer of fatlike lipid molecules. Embedded in the membrane are a variety of protein molecules that have special functions.

Microtubule – a long strand of bundles of protein filaments arranged around a hollow core; part of the cytoskeleton and involved in transporting substances from place to place within a cell.

G-protein – a protein coupled to a metabotropic receptor. When a molecule of the neurotransmitter binds with the receptor, the receptor activates a G protein situated inside the membrane next to the receptor.

Cited:
Almon, Richard. Drugs, Stress, and Human Function. Cognella, Inc., 2013. USA

Carlson, Neil R., Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience, 9th ed. Pearson, 2014. USA

U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedLine Plus, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

(I do not own this video)

On this episode of Dani’s Delicious Dish, Dani talks about breast cancer and shows you how pumpkin seeds can help prevent it!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
INGREDIENTS:
1 Pumpkin Seeded
1 Tbsp olive oil
1-3 Tsp, seasonings of your choice

Sweet
Cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar
Pumpkin pie spice and honey
Cardamom and brown sugar
Savory (any combination!)
Garlic powder, Old Bay, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, oregano, Parmesan, curry
Chili powder, Garam masala

DIRECTIONS
1) Turn on the oven to 325 degree
2) Clean the outside of the pumpkin
3) Cut open the pumpkin with a sharp serrated knife at an angle
4) Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp and placeseeds and strings in one bowl and the large chunks of flesh in another bowl – you can discard or use in other recipes
5) Place the seeds in a colander and run cool water over the seeds to clean them OR Cover the seeds with water and swish the bowl around to remove the excess pumpkin pieces (the seeds will float and the flesh will sink to the bottom but you may have to help separate some the strings from the seeds)
6) Place seeds on a cloth towel to pat off excess water (some seeds may stick to the towel so do not use paper towel or you will have paper stuck to your seeds)
7) Toss the seeds with olive oil and your favorite seasoning
8) Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet
9) Roast in over for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy

Store in an air tight container for a week or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.