Curcumin \Cur"cu*min\ (-m?n), n. (Chem.) The coloring principle of turmeric, or curcuma root, extracted as an orange yellow crystalline substance, {C14H14O4}, with a green fluorescence. Note: It possesses acid properties and with alkalies forms brownish salts. This change in color from yellow to brown is the characteristic reaction of tumeric paper. See {Turmeric paper}, under {Turmeric}.