Which oil pulls more magic from turmeric when heated?
Effect of Heating Time and Temperature on the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in vegetable oil
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
EVOO produced the highest beta-carotene level (9.83 ppm) under specific conditions (70°C for 6 hours), even though VCO had higher overall phenols and carotenoids.
Most assume coconut oil is superior for all turmeric compounds, but here olive oil outperformed it for beta-carotene—despite lower total carotenoid levels. This contradicts the assumption that one oil dominates universally.
Practical Takeaways
If you're making turmeric-infused oil for cooking or supplements, use virgin coconut oil for higher overall antioxidant extraction—especially if heating between 50–70°C for 4–6 hours.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
EVOO produced the highest beta-carotene level (9.83 ppm) under specific conditions (70°C for 6 hours), even though VCO had higher overall phenols and carotenoids.
Most assume coconut oil is superior for all turmeric compounds, but here olive oil outperformed it for beta-carotene—despite lower total carotenoid levels. This contradicts the assumption that one oil dominates universally.
Practical Takeaways
If you're making turmeric-infused oil for cooking or supplements, use virgin coconut oil for higher overall antioxidant extraction—especially if heating between 50–70°C for 4–6 hours.
Publication
Journal
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
Year
2025
Authors
R. Mahmudah, W. F. M. Sari, A. Fasya, Maulana Malik, Ibrahim Malang
Related Content
Claims (6)
Prolonged heating of extra virgin olive oil generates significantly higher levels of polar compounds and oxidation byproducts than coconut oil and ghee.
Heating turmeric in oil between 50°C and 70°C for 4 to 6 hours pulls out useful plant chemicals.
The most plant chemicals came out of turmeric when it was heated in coconut oil at 70°C for 4 hours.
When you heat turmeric in coconut oil, more of the beneficial plant chemicals come out than when you heat it in olive oil.
Turmeric in coconut oil released the most carotenoids when heated at 50°C for 5 hours.