First Place Library Literacy Award for Posters
STUDENT: Taylor Bronson
PROJECT ADVISOR: Dr. Phuong Pham
ABSTRACT:
While curcumin, a yellow substance derived from the spice turmeric, has long been known to exhibit biological activities such as anti-inflammation [2] and antitumor [3], it has limited therapeutic uses due to the lack of solubility and stability. Metal complexes of curcumin and its derivatives are of great interest to researchers for their improved bioavailability and stability. In this work, we study the chelation of various divalent metals, namely, Mg2+, Zn2+ and Fe2+ with curcumin and acetyl curcumin by spectrophotometry. We hope to gain better understanding of how this class of compounds interact with the various metals and to determine the optimum conditions for the formation of these coordination complexes. Spectral data analyses show an increase in absorptivity as curcumin and acetyl curcumin form chelate complexes with Mg2+ and Zn2+ ions respectively. Complexation of these phenolic compounds with Fe2+, however, result in an unexpected blue shift.
All around excellent poster presentation. The only thing is that the font is a little small. In the table, it is too small to read without zooming in significantly.
I will keep that in mind for the future. Thank you!