One hundred random decamer primers procured from Operon
Technologies Inc., Alameda, CA, USA were screened for identifying the
adulterant specific markers. The primers which gave consistent
amplification pattern for genuine turmeric and the adulterants viz.,
C. zedoaria and C. malabarica separately were selected for subsequent
amplification. Genomic DNA from six market samples of turmeric
powder along with genuine turmeric and C. zedoaria and C. malabarica
were amplified and resolved in the same agarose gel. Adulterant
specific bands were scored on the basis of their presence in C. zedoaria
and C. malabarica and their absence in genuine turmeric powder.