Submitted Successfully!
To reward your contribution, here is a gift for you: A free trial for our video production service.
Thank you for your contribution! You can also upload a video entry or images related to this topic.
Version Summary Created by Modification Content Size Created at Operation
1
Raul Avila Sosa
 -- 3543 2022-11-11 13:08:19 |
2 format correct
Jessie Wu
 Meta information modification 3543 2022-11-14 05:55:58 | |
3 format correct
Jessie Wu
 -9 word(s) 3534 2022-11-14 05:58:00 | |
4 format correct
Jessie Wu
 + 3 word(s) 3537 2022-11-14 07:16:56 | |
5 Layout
Jessie Wu
 Meta information modification 3537 2022-11-14 07:17:46 | |
6 format correct
Jessie Wu
 Meta information modification 3537 2022-11-14 07:30:40 |

Video Upload Options

We provide professional Video Production Services to translate complex research into visually appealing presentations. Would you like to try it?
No, upload directly Yes

Confirm

Are you sure to Delete?
Yes No
Cite
If you have any further questions, please contact Encyclopedia Editorial Office.
Avila-Sosa, R.;  Nevárez-Moorillón, G.V.;  Ochoa-Velasco, C.E.;  Navarro-Cruz, A.R.;  Hernández-Carranza, P.;  Cid-Pérez, T.S. Chemical Composition and Quality of Saffron. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/34202 (accessed on 30 November 2024).
Avila-Sosa R,  Nevárez-Moorillón GV,  Ochoa-Velasco CE,  Navarro-Cruz AR,  Hernández-Carranza P,  Cid-Pérez TS. Chemical Composition and Quality of Saffron. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/34202. Accessed November 30, 2024.
Avila-Sosa, Raul, Guadalupe Virginia Nevárez-Moorillón, Carlos Enrique Ochoa-Velasco, Addí Rhode Navarro-Cruz, Paola Hernández-Carranza, Teresa Soledad Cid-Pérez. "Chemical Composition and Quality of Saffron" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/34202 (accessed November 30, 2024).
Avila-Sosa, R.,  Nevárez-Moorillón, G.V.,  Ochoa-Velasco, C.E.,  Navarro-Cruz, A.R.,  Hernández-Carranza, P., & Cid-Pérez, T.S. (2022, November 11). Chemical Composition and Quality of Saffron. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/34202
Avila-Sosa, Raul, et al. "Chemical Composition and Quality of Saffron." Encyclopedia. Web. 11 November, 2022.
Chemical Composition and Quality of Saffron
Edit
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/foods11203245

Saffron is the commercial name for the dried red stigmas of the Crocus sativus L. flower. It is appreciated for adding color, flavor, and a particular aroma to different food dishes or drinks (paella in Spain, Milanese risotto in Italy, lussekatter buns in Sweden, and alcoholic beverages). It is considered a high-priced condiment (1500–2200 euro/kg) due to the considerable labor involved in its production since it requires manual harvesting as well as a laborious handling process (sorting, drying, and storage). Saffron’s principal producers are Iran and Spain, whereas the leading importers are Spain, Hong Kong, and the United States. Saffron’s quality is essential for consumers in the food industry and is based on the concentration of its apocarotenoids and their respective sensory attributes: crocin’s coloring strength, picrocrocin’s bitter taste, and safranal’s aromatic intensity

saffron chemical composition color

1. Saffron’s Chemical Composition

Saffron contains more than 150 compounds (volatile and non-volatile) including carotenoids (crocetin, crocin, β-carotene, lycopene, and zeaxanthin), monoterpene aldehydes (picrocrocin and safranal), monoterpenoids, and isopherones [1][2]. However, it also contains other compounds such as flavonoids, vitamins, proteins, and amino acids [3]. Saffron owes its sensory and functional properties mainly to the presence of its carotenoid derivatives, synthesized throughout flowering but also during the whole production process [4]. These compounds include crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal, which are the secondary or bioactive metabolites [1][4][5][6]. Saffron’s quality depends on its chemical profile and is directly related to the geographic area, climate variability, environmental practices, genetic traits, soil composition, cultivation conditions, and processing and storage methods [7][8]. Nevertheless, according to the ISO standards (3632-1:2011 and ISO 3632-2:2010), the value and quality of the stigma are measured based on the content of the color components (crocin and crocetin), the bitter taste component (picrocrocin), and the volatile compounds responsible for the odor and aroma (safranal). These specific parameters are influenced by the environmental conditions, extraction method, purification, etc. [2][9][10][11][12]. Some studies have been conducted on the extraction of bioactive compounds from saffron using the concept of green chemistry [13]. Some research on saffron stability demonstrates that temperature and humidity exert a strong influence on the degradation of the principal active ingredients [1].

1.1. Saffron’s Important Apocarotenoids

Crocin: The main bioactive compound of saffron was isolated by Aschoff in 1818, reporting a family of yellowish-red water-soluble carotenoids (mono-glycosyl or di-glycosyl-polyene esters) of 20 carbons [1][13][14][15][16]. In other words, this was a group of compounds formed by crocetin esterification (dicarboxylic carotenoid), which were classified according to their sugar fractions [15]. The cis/trans-X-R1R2 crocin abbreviation system is used based on three main characteristics: (a) cis/trans isomers, (b) X: number of glucose components (1–5), and (c) type of structure in R1 and R2 (acid form: H; glucose: g; gentiobiose: G; Neapolitan: n; or triglucose: t.) (Suchareau et al. (2021)). The most represented crocins are trans-4-GG, trans-3-Gg, trans-2-G, trans-2-gg, trans-5-tG, and trans-1-g, among others [15][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27].
Crocins are unusual apocarotenoids since their terminal glycoside rings confer high solubility. These pigments are detected in the red lobes of the stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower [9][17] and their content is proportional to the color and quality index. However, it should be noted that zeaxanthin (fat-soluble carotenoid) can also influence the color [28]. Crocins as such have low stability and lose their functionality during exposure to heat, oxygen, light absorption, acidic environments, and/or due to the presence of additives [4]. Therefore, the drying and storage temperatures are important for proper color development [25]; poor storage conditions lead to color pigment degradation [29]. Several factors are related to the concentration of these pigments in saffron stigmas, which are mainly the geographical growing region, crop conditions, type of soil, plant genetic traits, climate, planting time (rate), seed/crown rate, planting depth, corm size/weight, crop density, nutrient management, weed management, growth regulators, harvest and postharvest management, and drying conditions [30][31]. Finally, crocin (digentiobiose ester of crocetin) is recognized as a natural food-grade dye that displays biological activity such as antigenotoxic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-diabetic, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, and antidepressant properties [2][9][10].
Crocetins are lipophilic carotenoids derived from the hydrolysis of crocin glycosides, which is a crocin aglycone [24]. It contains a carboxyl group at each end of the polyene chain [17]; these groups of compounds (α-crocetin or crocetin I, crocetin II, β-crocetin, γ-crocetin) are produced from the degradation of zeaxanthin [32].
Picrocrocin’s structure was established by Khun and Winterstein in 1934 [16]. It is a colorless and odorless glycoside monoterpene (4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde or hydroxy-β-cyclocitral: HTCC and glucose), a product of the degradation of zeaxanthin, and is responsible for saffron’s bitter taste [1][2][6][13][14][33]. Picrocrocin is the second most abundant component in dry matter content [23][32][34]. During the drying process (35–50 °C for 4–7 h), picrocrocin’s temperature and/or hydrolysis form an aglycone [32][35]. Therefore, picrocrocin decreases during dehydration, whereas safranal is absent before drying [36].
Safranal is an aldehyde monoterpene and the volatile component responsible for saffron essential oil. HTCC (hydroxy-β-cyclocitral or 4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde) is regarded by many authors as a safranal precursor. This compound is obtained by chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis (dissociation) or when the vegetal material is dehydrated and transformed into safranal, but this also happens due to the handling and storage processes [1][7][13][20][34][37][38]. The safranal content changes according to the duration and intensity of drying, causing quality fluctuations [14], whereas its concentration increases with the storage and timely harvesting of flowers. However, heat and sunlight decrease the final quality and price [2].

1.2. Hypotheses on the Method of Obtaining Apocarotenoids

There are various hypotheses on the method of obtaining these important apocarotenoids from saffron. The first theory focuses on synthesizing these compounds in the plant from protocrocin (glycosyl derivative of zeaxanthin), the substrate of an oxidative enzyme that produces a molecule of crocin and two molecules of picrocrocin. Regarding safranal, it has been described that only a minimal concentration is detected in the fresh spice [39]. Fallahi et al. [40] described another pathway wherein apocarotenoids, which are commercially important, are obtained by the cleavage of carotenoids (zeaxanthin and β-carotene) by the carotenoid dioxygenase enzyme, giving rise to crocetin and hydroxy-β-cyclocitral as products. Later, they propose a glycosylation (glycosyltransferases) step, which produces crocins and picrocrocin, respectively. Finally, they describe that picrocrocin is hydrolyzed to form safranal. This hypothesis is consistent with that described by Sereshti et al. [41], who also describe other, more specific enzymes and substrates, as seen in Figure 1.
Foods 11 03245 g001 550
Figure 1. Possible pathways of commercial apocarotenoids in saffron.
The enzyme dioxygenase performs a 7–8C and 7′–8′C symmetric cleavage on the carotenoid zexanthin, converting it to 3-hydroxy-𝛽-cyclocitral and dialdehyde crocetin. Crocetin dialdehyde undergoes oxidation by aldehyde dehydrogenase to crocetin. Crocetin further undergoes glycosylation at the carboxyl group by the enzyme UDP-glucuronosyl transferase, forming crocin. Picrocrocetin is obtained from 3-hydroxy-𝛽-cyclocitral by glycosylation at the hydroxyl group by the enzyme UDP-glucuronosyl transferases. Picrocrocin is converted to safranal by the action of the enzyme 𝛽-glucosidase along with heat during drying [9].

2. Saffron Quality: Compounds Related to Color, Odor, and Flavor

Saffron’s quality depends on its chemical profile, which provides the bitter taste, desirable aroma, and attractive yellowish-red color of this spice [42][43]. Several studies on saffron stability are related to temperature, humidity, pH, light, oxygen [35], geographical growth location, and drying and storage conditions [44]. Since 1980, a standard quality procedure has been employed for saffron classification according to the International Standard Organization (ISO/TS 3632), which was updated in subsequent years (2003, 2010, 2011). This regulation allows saffron to be classified into distinct categories based on physical and chemical criteria: Category I—high quality; Category II—±medium quality; and Category III—low quality [18][45][46]. The grouping parameters used are moisture content, flower residues, foreign material, ash, and coloring power. However, external parameters, such as the absence of other plants, biological micro-flora, and pesticide residues, are also used. The methodology to determine saffron’s quality using these regulations is the spectrophotometric quantification of the stigmas’ aqueous extracts (1%) at three maximum wavelengths, namely 257 nm to indicate flavor strength (picrocrocin), 330 nm related to aroma (safranal), and 440 nm for coloring force (crocins), using a 1 cm pathway quartz cell [46][47][48][49][50]. The results are reported according to Equation (1):
E 1 c m 1 % ( λ m a x ) = ( A × 10,000 ) m × ( 100 − H ) where λmax is the wavelength (257, 330, or 420 nm), A is the absorbance, m is the saffron sample weight (g), and H is the moisture content (%) [39][49][51][52][53][54]. The color intensity is the most important characteristic related to quality and is used to establish the market price of saffron [55]. The crocin content (degraded carotene) [56] determines the market color specifications. Category I includes a minimum value of 200 units of coloring strength (ucs) and for Category III, the minimum value is 120 ucs [18]. Saffron merchants usually consider a 3-4-year shelf life for saffron when stored under suitable conditions (at room temperature without light exposure). The color intensity decreases by nearly 30 to 40 units per year and is a significant determinant of the final quality of saffron [57]. Diverse drying methods affect crocins, which may be related to the time, temperature, and resistance used [28]. Other factors that affect color are geographic location, harvest, storage, and mixing with additional non-colored parts of the plant (stems and other adulterating materials) [53]. Saffron’s bitter taste is attributed to picrocrocin, a compound present in the plant’s stigmas. The ISO standard determines the flavor strength with values of 70 (Category I), 55 (Category II), and 40 (Category III) [18]. The final picrocrocin content varies according to the dehydration process used [57]. The spice’s flavor can suffer significant losses during processing [58]. Safranal is the active odor in this spice [57][59][60]. The ISO 3632 method determines three categories of aroma strength in safranal, with values within a range of 20–50 [18][61]. It is important to emphasize that during dehydration and storage, there are modifications in saffron’s sensory characteristics [57][62].
Therefore, the chemical components of saffron quality are crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal. Lage and Cantrell [63] established that crocins are found in a more significant range (18–37%), followed by picrocrocin (4.2–28%) and, in a lower proportion, safranal (0.04–0.48%). This is consistent with the results described by various authors [21][31][52][61][63], who determined crocins as the major components, specifically trans-4-GG and trans-3-Gg crocins [18][21][64].
Concerning crocins, Chaouqi et al. [48] demonstrated that these coloring components are extracted in a more considerable proportion at 40 °C than at room temperature; the authors suggested the use of short dehydration times since an increase in temperature allows for the maximum crocin content, which also depends on the production [57]. However, Rocchi et al. [25] found that the use of elevated temperatures (125–200 °C) in the drying treatment can influence the pigments’ degradation (glucose hydrolysis), and fresh samples (<1 year) retain a significant amount of glycosylated crocin, which is hydrolyzed after storage. Sereshti et al. [41] described that freshly dried samples have an intense color due to crocins since during storage, these pigments decrease (enzymes, temperature, light, hydrolysis), with a negative correlation with odor (the color is reduced, whereas the aroma increases). Saffron storage causes apocarotenoids’ glycosidic bonds to break down (band at 1028 cm), which was confirmed using FT-IR spectroscopy, and is associated with the presence of glucose, together with intensities in the region of 1175–1157 cm linked with glucosidic bonds [65]. The second quality component in the percentage is picrocrocin, which increases with the dehydration temperature (40 °C) [63] but decreases with storage time [48]. Ordoudi et al. [38] determined that saffron produced under optimal processing and storage conditions retains its organoleptic characteristics for 1 to 4 years. Meanwhile, samples stored for more than four years produce low amounts of crocetin and picrocrocin esters. This is related to the findings described by Sereshti et al. [41], who determined that during storage, picrocrocin loses its sugar residues and becomes HTCC and safranal (fresh samples are more bitter). In other words, fresh samples contained a higher concentration of crocins and picrocrocins, whereas the level of safranal (the most abundant volatile component, but with a minimum total concentration in the aromatic spice) was higher in the stored samples; therefore, the relationship between time and safranal content was demonstrated by the higher concentration in the samples with extended storage. García-Rodríguez et al. [61] determined that the aged spice produces safranal from HTCC. The safranal concentration depends on the drying and storage conditions [62].

2.1. Quality Standards and Apocarotenoid Quantification

The ISO standard proposes a fast, economical, and easy-to-implement spectrophotometric UV-vis method for aqueous saffron extracts. However, this technique does not allow for the actual determination of the quality compounds [48]. ISO 3632 proposes the quantifications of picrocrocin, safranal, and crocins at a maximum of 257 nm, 330 nm, and 440nm, respectively. However, Cossignani et al. [49] and Aiello et al. [47] determined that crocins show an absorption spectrum between 250 and 470 nm that overlaps at various wavelengths between the compounds. Trans-crocin isomers showed two bands: the first at 260 nm (glycosidic ester bond) and the second band between 400 and 470 nm (typical of carotenoids). Meanwhile, the cis-crocin isomers showed three bands: two bands as previously described and a third band of medium intensity at 328 nm. This indicates that the amount of picrocrocin is affected by the concentration of cis and trans-crocins. Meanwhile, the safranal concentration obtained by UV-vis is not precise since cis-crocins interfere. In summary, overlapping causes quantification errors and limitations in this technique [12][52][61][66][67][68]. Another group of compounds that could interfere with saffron’s quality is the kaempferol derivatives, which absorb UV-vis light at 264 and 344 nm [49][69]. Moreover, safranal is slightly soluble in water and therefore the use of hexane and chloroform has been determined as the best strategy for the extraction and detection of adulterants [67][70].

2.2. Apocarotenoids and Their Quantification by Chromatography

Color, flavor, and odor are the quality parameters for saffron aqueous extract according to ISO 3632. They are determined by a non-specific spectrophotometric technique, albeit with limitations in assessing the authenticity of saffron. In the search for a more effective technique, liquid chromatography (LC) or HPLC have been proposed to separate and identify the components contained in a sample [50]. Various studies have described the identification and detection of saffron metabolites by HPLC including safranal, crocins, picrocrocin, and kaempferol and its derivatives [47]. For its part, a mass spectrometry (MS) detector coupled to HPLC and/or DAD could improve quantification [71][72], and MS/MS could facilitate the identification of compounds through structural elucidation [73]. The key quality parameter of saffron is color and the compound to which it is attributed is crocin, which must be quantified in order to determine the market price. For the qualitative and quantitative determinations of crocins, it is necessary to implement standards (quantification by internal and external standards) such as trans-4-GG-crocin (high price and questionable purity ~80%) [7][24][68].
The MS detector has been of considerable help since the lack of suppliers and the high prices of the standards make the structural elucidation (fragmentation patterns) of each crocin important (the different crocins can be identified by the number of hexoses and the molecular weight provided by the mass spectra) to compare them with the patterns in the scientific literature [68][73]. Crocin determination was carried out by Aghhavani et al. [2]; they determined no correlation between the color indexes obtained with spectrophotometry and HPLC data. They concluded that one could use the most accurate, easiest, and low-cost method depending on the experimental conditions to evaluate the quality of saffron. Rocchi et al. [25], demonstrated a poor correlation between the total crocin content (quantification) obtained by the ISO method and by UHPLC-MS/MS.
García-Rodríguez et al. [61] and Kabiri et al. [52] found that the quantification of safranal obtained by UV-vis does not correlate with HPLC data due to the interferences (overestimation by interference) generated by cis-crocetin esters and other compounds with λmax 330 nm. They also demonstrated that crocins interfere with picrocrocin and safranal, resulting in overestimates of the latter compounds in samples with large amounts of crocin. They concluded that semipreparative HPLC could represent an efficient method for the quantification of apocarotenoids. Similar results were presented by Moras et al. [72]; they reported that safranal content is more accurately calculated using UHPLC-DAD-MS because it is not influenced by the overestimation of safranal (with cis-crocetin esters at λmax 310–330 nm), which is shown when using the ISO methodology. They recommend determining, separating, identifying, and quantifying the metabolite content using the UHPLC-DAD-MS method as a unique and rapid analysis technique. Maggi et al. [70] and Bononi et al. [66] reported a null correlation between safranal content obtained by ISO 3632 and the GC method, as many other saffron substances display absorbance at a maximum of 330 nm.
For this reason, several instruments and analytical methods have been developed for saffron quality control, including chromatography, spectroscopy, molecular biology, and biomimetic techniques, with varying degrees of success and benefits [50]. HPLC is used to isolate, identify, quantify, purify, and determine the quality or adulteration; reverse-phase chromatography is widely used as it is capable of detecting compounds of different polarities and molecular masses [74]. Some authors have pointed out that HPLC-DAD is a selective, precise, sensitive, and specific technique that could evaluate the commercial quality of saffron [75][76].
In Table 1, the major commercial-quality compounds in saffron quantified by HPLC, are shown. The extractant solvents used in the investigations (Table 1) are polar and are in agreement with the descriptions by Rahaiee et al. (2015), who suggested that solvents such as water, ethanol, and pure methanol can be used but that mixtures would be more appropriate for the extractions of bioactive compounds [77]. For many authors, ethanol is the most suitable solvent (compared to methanol, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, hexane, and/or water) for extracting metabolites from saffron stamens [78]. Meanwhile, Rahaiee et al. (2015) showed that an ethanolic extract obtained higher yields compared to water and methanol [23]. Similarly, this solvent was better than methanol for obtaining qualitative and quantitative data from saffron extracts. Meanwhile, Kyriakoudi et al. (2012) recommended the mixture of methanol: water (1:1, v/v) as a suitable solvent for industrial and analytical applications of saffron apocarotenoids [79]. Crocin isolation by solubility in a water–organic solvent mixture was tested by Zhang et al. (2004), who showed better results for methanol–water > ethanol–water > acetone–water extract [80]. Crocins are the most determined compound, followed by picrocrocin and safranal. In crocins, the ratios determined from highest to lowest were trans-4-GG, trans-3-Gg, cis-4-GG, trans-2-G, and trans-2-gg, respectively. An exception was Moratalla-López et al. [76], whose results did follow this relationship because the saffron samples used in their research were only of quality grade III. In general, ISO 3632 is used by researchers as a preliminary test. However, to perform the true quantification of saffron’s commercial-quality compounds, more precise spectroscopic techniques are used (HPLC, GC-MS, etc.).
Table 1. Principal quality chemical components of saffrons obtained from different geographical origins and their concentrations.
Geographical Origin Type of Extract Compound Concentration Technique Ref.
Azerbaijan Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 39.08 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3-Gg 27.25
Cis-4-GG 7.49
Σ crocins 77.16
Picrocrocin 3.34
Safranal 0.98
China Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 6.29 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3Gg 2.44
Σ crocins 8.73
Picrocrocin 0.53
Safranal 0.22
Poitou, France Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 38.43 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3-Gg 27.74
Cis-4-GG 5.89
Σ crocins 75.07
Picrocrocin 5.97
Safranal 0.81
Greece Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 40.77 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3-Gg 30.36
Cis-4-GG 10.14
Σ crocins 86.51
Picrocrocin 5.95
Safranal 1.29
India Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 37.54 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3-Gg 22.13
Cis-4-GG 9.12
Σ crocins 75.68
Picrocrocin 7.87
Safranal 0.47
Fars, Iran Aqueous extracts Trans-4-GG 56.16 mg/g HPLC-DAD [75]
Trans-3-Gg 48.72
Cis-4-GG 12.53
Trans-2-gg 12.49
Σ crocins 153.81
Picrocrocin 77.29
Ghaen, Iran Ethanol (70%) Trans-4-GG 197.84 mg/g HPLC-DAD-MS [21]
Trans-3-Gg 71.56
Cis-4-GG 26.88
Trans-2-G 24.86
Σ crocins 338.87
Picrocrocin 43.82
Safranal 1.35
Gonabad, Iran Ethanol (70%) Trans-4-GG 168.91 mg/g HPLC-DAD-MS [21]
Trans-3-Gg 61.25
Cis-4-GG 30.42
Trans-2-G 26
Σ crocins 302.51
Picrocrocin 36.97
Safranal 1.26
Isfahan, Iran Aqueous extracts Picrocrocin 150.64 mg/g HPLC-DAD [75]
Trans-4-GG 46.86
Trans-3-Gg 43.51
Trans-2-G 14.53
Trans-2-gg 10.56
Σ crocins 137.05
Safranal 1.04
Kerman, Iran Aqueous extracts Trans-4-GG 77.89 mg/g HPLC-DAD [75]
Trans-3-Gg 46.69
Trans-2-G 12.79
Σ crocins 159.86
Picrocrocin 63.95
Safranal 1.31
Razavi Khorasan, Iran Aqueous extracts Trans-4-GG 54.73 mg/g HPLC-DAD [75]
Trans-3-Gg 34.51
Trans-2-G 9.35
Σ crocins 123.61
Picrocrocin 120.62
Safranal 2.13
Tehran, Iran Aqueous extracts Trans-4-GG 59.7 mg/g HPLC-DAD [75]
Trans-3-Gg 44.43
Cis-4-GG 12.39
Trans-2-gg 9.34
Σ crocins 146.66
Picrocrocin 131.61
Safranal 0.57
Tehran, Iran Aqueous extracts (1%)
Freeze-Dried		 Picrocrocin 33.88 mmol/100g HPLC-DAD [76]
HTCC 20.2
Trans-3-Gg 3.81
Trans-4-GG 3.53
Trans-2-gg 1.17
Σ crocins 9.91
Safranal 0.84
Tehran, Iran Aqueous extracts (1%)
Dark-Dried		 HTCC 16.82 mmol/100g HPLC-DAD [76]
Picrocrocin 15.14
Trans-4-GG 4.59
Trans-3-Gg 3.71
Σ crocins 11.95
Safranal 0.41
Torbat, Iran Ethanol (70%) Trans-4-GG 238.02 mg/g HPLC-DAD-MS [21]
Trans-3-Gg 85.36
Trans-2-G 24.3
Cis-4-GG 19.38
Σ crocins 388.23
Picrocrocin 67.95
Safranal 1.79
Iran Aqueous extracts Trans-4-GG 42.24 % HPLC [27]
Trans-3-Gg 24.76
Cis-4-GG 5.09
Trans-2-G 3.53
Trans-2-gg 3.18
Σ crocins 83.06
Picrocrocin 16.72
Safranal 0.22
Iran Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 38.41 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3-Gg 23.58
Cis-4-GG 4.73
Σ crocins 69.32
Picrocrocin 3.69
Safranal 0.65
Iran Ethanol 80% Crocin 26.81 mg/0.1g HPLC [52]
Picrocrocin 12.92
Safranal 0.042
Cascia, Italy Ethanol (70%) Trans-4-GG 343.97 mg/g HPLC-DAD-MS [21]
Trans-3-Gg 111.94
Trans-2-G 13.59
Σ crocins 494.42
Picrocrocin 127.83
Safranal 3.01
Città della Pieve, Italy Ethanol (70%) Trans-4-GG 302.65 mg/g HPLC-DAD-MS [21]
Trans-3-Gg 109.17
Trans-2-G 16.12
Σ crocins 450.73
Picrocrocin 101.92
Safranal 2.41
Fiesole, Italy Ethanol (70%) Trans-4-GG 372.49 mg/g HPLC-DAD-MS [21]
Trans-3-Gg 123.15
Trans-2-G 21.24
Cis-4-GG 12.55
Σ crocins 548.84
Picrocrocin 130.35
Safranal 2.01
Fiesole, Italy Ethanol (70%)—formic acid Trans-4-GG 238.91 mg/g HPLC-DAD-MS [64]
Trans-3-Gg 65.64
Trans-2-G 16.96
Cis-4-GG 4.95
Σ crocins 342.02
Picrocrocin 111.14
Safranal 2.27
Navelli, Italy Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 38.25 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3-Gg 28.28
Σ crocins 72.02
Picrocrocin 5.8
Safranal 0.53
Perugia, Italy Ethanol 70%—formic acid Trans-4-GG 148.5 mg/g HPLC-DAD-MS [64]
Trans-3-Gg 46.2
Trans-2-G 14.8
Cis-4-GG 14.1
Σ crocins 231.1
Picrocrocin 68.9
Safranal 2.6
Italy Aqueous extracts Trans-4-GG 43.57 % HPLC [27]
Trans-3-Gg 23.09
Cis-4-GG 5.29
Trans-2-gg 2.12
Σ crocins 78.45
Picrocrocin 21.26
Safranal 0.28
Larache, Marruecos Degassed methanol Σ crocins 17.9 % HPLC-DAD [63]
Picrocrocin 11.92
Safranal 0.21
Safranier d’Ourika, Marruecos Degassed methanol Σ crocins 37.23 % HPLC-DAD [63]
Picrocrocin 28.78
Safranal 0.24
Rangiora, New Zealand Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 41.21 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3-Gg 31.26
Σ crocins 74.61
Picrocrocin 7.94
Safranal 0.47
La Mancha, Spain Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 38.41 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3-Gg 24.43
Cis-4-GG 5.76
Σ crocins 73.85
Picrocrocin 8.14
Safranal 0.88
Turkey Methanol–water (50:50, v/v) Trans-4-GG 36.35 mg/g HPLC-PDA [7]
Trans-3-Gg 25.32
Cis-4-GG 5.21
Σ crocins 69.73
Picrocrocin 5.67
Safranal 0.84

References

  1. Hadavi, R.; Jafari, S.M.; Katouzian, I. Nanoliposomal Encapsulation of Saffron Bioactive Compounds; Characterization and Optimization. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2020, 164, 4046–4053.
  2. Aghhavani, M.S.; Rezvani, P.M. Are the Apocarotenoids Content and Colorimetric Traits of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Affected by Some Post Harvesting Operations? J. Stored Prod. Res. 2022, 97, 101967.
  3. Guijarro-Díez, M.; Castro-Puyana, M.; Crego, A.L.; Marina, M.L. A Novel Method for the Quality Control of Saffron through the Simultaneous Analysis of Authenticity and Adulteration Markers by Liquid Chromatography-(Quadrupole-Time of Flight)-Mass Spectrometry. Food Chem. 2017, 228, 403–410.
  4. Armellini, R.; Peinado, I.; Asensio-Grau, A.; Pittia, P.; Scampicchio, M.; Heredia, A.; Andres, A. In Vitro Starch Digestibility and Fate of Crocins in Pasta Enriched with Saffron Extract. Food Chem. 2019, 283, 155–163.
  5. Gani, A.; Jan, R.; Ashwar, B.A.; Ashraf, Z.U.; Shah, A.; Gani, A. Encapsulation of Saffron and Sea Buckthorn Bioactives: Its Utilization for Development of Low Glycemic Baked Product for Growing Diabetic Population of the World. LWT 2021, 142, 111035.
  6. Garavand, F.; Rahaee, S.; Vahedikia, N.; Jafari, S.M. Different Techniques for Extraction and Micro/Nanoencapsulation of Saffron Bioactive Ingredients. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2019, 89, 26–44.
  7. Caballero-Ortega, H.; Pereda-Miranda, R.; Abdullaev, F.I. HPLC Quantification of Major Active Components from 11 Different Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Sources. Food Chem. 2007, 100, 1126–1131.
  8. Liu, J.; Chen, N.; Yang, J.; Yang, B.; Ouyang, Z.; Wu, C.; Yuan, Y.; Wang, W.; Chen, M. An Integrated Approach Combining HPLC, GC/MS, NIRS, and Chemometrics for the Geographical Discrimination and Commercial Categorization of Saffron. Food Chem. 2018, 253, 284–292.
  9. Bakshi, R.A.; Sodhi, N.S.; Wani, I.A.; Khan, Z.S.; Dhillon, B.; Gani, A. Bioactive Constituents of Saffron Plant: Extraction, Encapsulation and Their Food and Pharmaceutical Applications. Appl. Food Res. 2022, 2, 100076.
  10. Ghanbari, J.; Khajoei-Nejad, G.; van Ruth, S.M.; Aghighi, S. The Possibility for Improvement of Flowering, Corm Properties, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) by Different Nutritional Regimes. Ind. Crops Prod. 2019, 135, 301–310.
  11. Moratalla-López, N.; José Bagur, M.; Lorenzo, C.; Martínez-Navarro, M.E.; Mora-talla-López, N.; José Bagur, M. Alonso Bioactivity and Bioavailability of the Major Metabolites of Crocus sativus L. Flower. Molecules 2019, 24, 2827.
  12. Verma, R.S.; Middha, D. Analysis of Saffron (Crocus sativus L. Stigma) Components by LC-MS-MS. Chromatographia 2010, 71, 117–123.
  13. Sarfarazi, M.; Rajabzadeh, Q.; Tavakoli, R.; Ibrahim, S.A.; Jafari, S.M. Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Saffron Bioactive Compounds; Separation of Crocins, Picrocrocin, and Safranal Optimized by Artificial Bee Colony. Ultrason. Sonochem. 2022, 86, 105971.
  14. Catinella, G.; Borgonovo, G.; Dallavalle, S.; Contente, M.L.; Pinto, A. From Saffron Residues to Natural Safranal: Valorization of Waste through a β-Glucosidase. Food Bioprod. Process. 2022, 131, 144–148.
  15. Rajabi, H.; Jafari, S.M.; Feizi, J.; Ghorbani, M.; Mohajeri, S.A. Surface-Decorated Graphene Oxide Sheets with Nanoparticles of Chitosan-Arabic Gum for the Separation of Bioactive Compounds: A Case Study for Adsorption of Crocin from Saffron Extract. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2021, 186, 1–12.
  16. Bagur, M.J.; Alonso Salinas, G.L.; Jiménez-Monreal, A.M.; Chaouqi, S.; Llorens, S.; Martínez-Tomé, M.; Alonso, G.L. Saffron: An Old Medicinal Plant and a Potential Novel Functional Food. Molecules 2017, 23, 30.
  17. Bathaie, S.Z.; Farajzade, A.; Hoshyar, R. A Review of the Chemistry and Uses of Crocins and Crocetin, the Carotenoid Natural Dyes in Saffron, with Particular Emphasis on Applications as Colorants Including Their Use as Biological Stains. Biotech. Histochem. 2014, 89, 401–411.
  18. Azarabadi, N.; Özdemir, F. Determination of Crocin Content and Volatile Components in Different Qualities of Iranian Saffron. Gida J. Food 2018, 476–489.
  19. Gismondi, A.; Serio, M.; Canuti, L.; Canini, A. Biochemical, Antioxidant and Antineoplastic Properties of Italian Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) . Am. J. Plant Sci. 2012, 03, 1573–1580.
  20. Kosar, M.; Demirci, B.; Goger, F.; Kara, I.; Baser, K.H.C. Volatile Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Antioxidant Components in Saffron Cultivated in Turkey. Int. J. Food Prop. 2017, 20, S746–S754.
  21. Masi, E.; Taiti, C.; Heimler, D.; Vignolini, P.; Romani, A.; Mancuso, S. PTR-TOF-MS and HPLC Analysis in the Characterization of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) from Italy and Iran. Food Chem. 2016, 192, 75–81.
  22. Moratalla-López, N.; Sánchez, A.M.; Lorenzo, C.; López-Córcoles, H.; Alonso, G.L. Quality Determination of Crocus sativus L. Flower by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. J. Food Compos. Anal. 2020, 93, 103613.
  23. Rahaiee, S.; Moini, S.; Hashemi, M.; Shojaosadati, S.A. Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities of Bioactive Compounds and Various Extracts Obtained from Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): A Review. J. Food Sci. Technol. 2015, 52, 1881–1888.
  24. Reddy, C.N.; Bharate, S.B.; Vishwakarma, R.A.; Bharate, S.S. Chemical Analysis of Saffron by HPLC Based Crocetin Estimation. J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2020, 181, 113094.
  25. Rocchi, R.; Mascini, M.; Sergi, M.; Compagnone, D.; Mastrocola, D.; Pittia, P. Crocins Pattern in Saffron Detected by UHPLC-MS/MS as Marker of Quality, Process and Traceability. Food Chem. 2018, 264, 241–249.
  26. Shahi, T.; Assadpour, E.; Jafari, S.M. Main Chemical Compounds and Pharmacological Activities of Stigmas and Tepals of ‘Red Gold’; Saffron. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2016, 58, 69–78.
  27. Tabtabaei, S.; D’Archivio, A.A.; Maggi, M.A.; Brutus, M.; Bajracharya, D.H.; Konakbayeva, D.; Soleimani, A.; Brim, H.; Ashktorab, H. Geographical Classification of Iranian and Italian Saffron Sources Based on HPLC Analysis and UV–Vis Spectra of Aqueous Extracts. Eur. Food Res. Technol. 2019, 245, 2435–2446.
  28. Chen, D.; Xing, B.; Yi, H.; Li, Y.; Zheng, B.; Wang, Y.; Shao, Q. Effects of Different Drying Methods on Appearance, Microstructure, Bioactive Compounds and Aroma Compounds of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). LWT Food Sci. Technol. 2020, 120, 108913.
  29. Urbani, E.; Blasi, F.; Simonetti, M.S.; Chiesi, C.; Cossignani, L. Investigation on Secondary Metabolite Content and Antioxidant Activity of Commercial Saffron Powder. Eur. Food Res. Technol. 2016, 242, 987–993.
  30. Almodóvar, P.; Prodanov, M.; Arruñada, O.; Inarejos-García, A.M. Affron® Eye, a Natural Extract of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) with Colorant Properties as Novel Replacer of Saffron Stigmas in Culinary and Food Applications. Int. J. Gastron. Food Sci. 2018, 12, 1–5.
  31. Vahedi, M.; Kabiri, M.; Salami, S.A.; Rezadoost, H.; Mirzaie, M.; Kanani, M.R. Quantitative HPLC-Based Metabolomics of Some Iranian Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Accessions. Ind. Crops Prod. 2018, 118, 26–29.
  32. Bhat, Z.S.; Jaladi, N.; Khajuria, R.K.; Shah, Z.H.; Arumugam, N. Comparative Analysis of Bioactive N-Alkylamides Produced by Tissue Culture Raised versus Field Plantlets of Spilanthes Ciliata Using LC-Q-TOF (HRMS). J. Chromatogr. B Anal. Technol. Biomed. Life Sci. 2016, 1017–1018, 195–203.
  33. Guclu, G.; Kelebek, H.; Selli, S. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): Its Aroma and Key Odorants. In Saffron The Age-Old Panacea in a New Light; Sarwat, M., Sumaiya, S., Eds.; Academic Press: London, UK, 2020; pp. 69–82.
  34. Melnyk, J.P.; Wang, S.; Marcone, M.F. Chemical and Biological Properties of the World’s Most Expensive Spice: Saffron. Food Res. Int. 2010, 43, 1981–1989.
  35. Hosseini, A.; Razavi, B.M.; Hosseinzadeh, H. Pharmacokinetic Properties of Saffron and Its Active Components. Eur. J. Drug Metab. Pharmacokinet. 2018, 43, 383–390.
  36. Ordoudi, S.A.; Tsimidou, M. Saffron Quality: Effect of Agricultural Practices, Processing and Storage. In Production Practices and Quality Assessment of Food Crops; Dris, R., Jain, S.M., Eds.; Kluwer Academic: Amsterdam, The Netherland, 2004; Volume 1, pp. 209–260. ISBN 1402025335.
  37. Jalali-Heravi, M.; Parastar, H.; Ebrahimi-Najafabadi, H. Characterization of Volatile Components of Iranian Saffron Using Factorial-Based Response Surface Modeling of Ultrasonic Extraction Combined with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis. J. Chromatogr. A 2009, 1216, 6088–6097.
  38. Ordoudi, S.A.; Cagliani, L.R.; Lalou, S.; Naziri, E.; Tsimidou, M.Z.; Consonni, R. 1H NMR-Based Metabolomics of Saffron Reveals Markers for Its Quality Deterioration. Food Res. Int. 2015, 70, 1–6.
  39. García-Rodríguez, M.V.; Moratalla-López, N.; López-Córcoles, H.; Alonso, G.L. Saffron Quality Obtained under Different Forcing Conditions, Considering Various Vegetative Stages of Corms. Sci. Hortic. (Amst.) 2021, 277, 109811.
  40. Fallahi, H.-R.; Aghhavani-Shajari, M.; Sahabi, H.; Behdani, M.A.; Sayyari-Zohan, M.H.; Vatandoost, S. Influence of Some Pre and Post-Harvest Practices on Quality of Saffron Stigmata. Sci. Hortic. (Amst.) 2021, 278, 109846.
  41. Sereshti, H.; Ataolahi, S.; Aliakbarzadeh, G.; Zarre, S.; Poursorkh, Z. Evaluation of Storage Time Effect on Saffron Chemical Profile Using Gas Chromatography and Spectrophotometry Techniques Coupled with Chemometrics. J. Food Sci. Technol. 2018, 55, 1350–1359.
  42. Kumar, R.; Singh, V.; Devi, K.; Sharma, M.; Singh, M.K.; Ahuja, P.S. State of Art of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Agronomy: A Comprehensive Review. Food Rev. Int. 2009, 25, 44–85.
  43. Sarfarazi, M.; Jafari, S.M.; Rajabzadeh, G.; Feizi, J. Development of an Environmentally-Friendly Solvent-Free Extraction of Saffron Bioactives Using Subcritical Water. LWT Food Sci. Technol. 2019, 114, 108428.
  44. Kiani, S.; Minaei, S.; Ghasemi-Varnamkhasti, M. Integration of Computer Vision and Electronic Nose as Non-Destructive Systems for Saffron Adulteration Detection. Comput. Electron. Agric. 2017, 141, 46–53.
  45. Neri, L.; Giancaterino, M.; Rocchi, R.; Tylewicz, U.; Valbonetti, L.; Faieta, M.; Pittia, P. Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) as Hot Air Drying Pre-Treatment: Effect on Quality and Functional Properties of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Innov. Food Sci. Emerg. Technol. 2021, 67, 102592.
  46. Sabatino, L.; Scordino, M.; Gargano, M.; Belligno, A.; Traulo, P.; Gagliano, G. HPLC/PDA/ESI-MS Evaluation of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Adulteration. Nat. Prod. Commun. 2011, 6, 1873–1876.
  47. Aiello, D.; Siciliano, C.; Mazzotti, F.; Di Donna, L.; Athanassopoulos, C.M.; Napoli, A. A Rapid MALDI MS/MS Based Method for Assessing Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Adulteration. Food Chem. 2020, 307.
  48. Chaouqi, S.; Moratalla-López, N.; Lage, M.; Lorenzo, C.; Alonso, G.L.; Guedira, T. Effect of Drying and Storage Process on Moroccan Saffron Quality. Food Biosci. 2018, 22, 146–153.
  49. Cossignani, L.; Urbani, E.; Simonetti, M.S.; Maurizi, A.; Chiesi, C.; Blasi, F. Characterisation of Secondary Metabolites in Saffron from Central Italy (Cascia, Umbria). Food Chem. 2014, 143, 446–451.
  50. Kiani, S.; Minaei, S.; Ghasemi-Varnamkhasti, M. Instrumental Approaches and Innovative Systems for Saffron Quality Assessment. J. Food Eng. 2018, 216, 1–10.
  51. Ghanbari, J.; Khajoei-Nejad, G.; van Ruth, S.M. Effect of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Corm Provenance on Its Agro-Morphological Traits and Bioactive Compounds. Sci. Hortic. (Amst.) 2019, 256, 108605.
  52. Kabiri, M.; Rezadoost, H.; Ghassempour, A. A Comparative Quality Study of Saffron Constituents through HPLC and HPTLC Methods Followed by Isolation of Crocins and Picrocrocin. LWT Food Sci. Technol. 2017, 84, 1–9.
  53. Minaei, S.; Kiani, S.; Ayyari, M.; Ghasemi-Varnamkhasti, M. A Portable Computer-Vision-Based Expert System for Saffron Color Quality Characterization. J. Appl. Res. Med. Aromat. Plants 2017, 7, 124–130.
  54. Pei, Y.; Li, Z.; Xu, W.; Song, C.; Li, J.; Song, F. Effects of Ultrasound Pretreatment Followed by Far-Infrared Drying on Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Activity and Aroma Compounds of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Food Biosci. 2021, 42, 101186.
  55. Sánchez, A.M.; Winterhalter, P. Carotenoid Cleavage Products in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). ACS Symp. Ser. 2013, 1134, 45–63.
  56. Acar, B.; Sadikoglu, H.; Ozkaymak, M. Freeze Drying of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Dry. Technol. 2011, 29, 1622–1627.
  57. del Campo, C.P.; Carmona, M.; Maggi, L.; Kanakis, C.D.; Anastasaki, E.G.; Tarantilis, P.A.; Polissiou, M.G.; Alonso, G.L. Effects of Mild Temperature Conditions during Dehydration Procedures on Saffron Quality Parameters. J. Sci. Food Agric. 2010, 90, 719–725.
  58. Teng, X.; Zhang, M.; Devahastin, S. New Developments on Ultrasound-Assisted Processing and Flavor Detection of Spices: A Review. Ultrason. Sonochem. 2019, 55, 297–307.
  59. Winterhalter, P.; Straubinger, M. Saffron-Renewed Interest in an Ancient Spice. Food Rev. Int. 2000, 16, 39–59.
  60. Christodoulou, E.; Kadoglou, N.P.; Kostomitsopoulos, N.; Valsami, G. Saffron: A Natural Product with Potential Pharmaceutical Applications. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2015, 67, 1634–1649.
  61. García-Rodríguez, M.V.; López-Córcoles, H.; Alonso, G.L.; Pappas, C.S.; Polissiou, M.G.; Tarantilis, P.A. Comparative Evaluation of an ISO 3632 Method and an HPLC-DAD Method for Safranal Quantity Determination in Saffron. Food Chem. 2017, 221, 838–843.
  62. Urbani, E.; Blasi, F.; Chiesi, C.; Maurizi, A.; Cossignani, L. Characterization of Volatile Fraction of Saffron from Central Italy (Cascia, Umbria). Int. J. Food Prop. 2015, 18, 2223–2230.
  63. Lage, M.; Cantrell, C.L. Quantification of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Metabolites Crocins, Picrocrocin and Safranal for Quality Determination of the Spice Grown under Different Environmental Moroccan Conditions. Sci. Hortic. (Amst.) 2009, 121, 366–373.
  64. Vignolini, P.; Heimler, D.; Pinelli, P.; Ieri, F.; Sciullo, A.; Romani, A. Characterization of By-Products of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Production. Nat. Prod. Commun. 2008, 3, 1934578X0800301.
  65. Ordoudi, S.A.; De Los Mozos Pascual, M.; Tsimidou, M.Z. On the Quality Control of Traded Saffron by Means of Transmission Fourier-Transform Mid-Infrared (FT-MIR) Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. Food Chem. 2014, 150, 414–421.
  66. Bononi, M.; Milella, P.; Tateo, F. Gas Chromatography of Safranal as Preferable Method for the Commercial Grading of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Food Chem. 2015, 176, 17–21.
  67. Cagliani, L.R.; Culeddu, N.; Chessa, M.; Consonni, R. NMR Investigations for a Quality Assessment of Italian PDO Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Food Control 2015, 50, 342–348.
  68. Suchareau, M.; Bordes, A.; Lemée, L. Improved Quantification Method of Crocins in Saffron Extract Using HPLC-DAD after Qualification by HPLC-DAD-MS. Food Chem. 2021, 362, 130199.
  69. D’Archivio, A.A.; Maggi, M.A. Geographical Identification of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) by Linear Discriminant Analysis Applied to the UV–Visible Spectra of Aqueous Extracts. Food Chem. 2017, 219, 408–413.
  70. Maggi, L.; Sánchez, A.M.; Carmona, M.; Kanakis, C.D.; Anastasaki, E.; Tarantilis, P.A.; Polissiou, M.G.; Alonso, G.L. Rapid Determination of Safranal in the Quality Control of Saffron Spice (Crocus sativus L.). Food Chem. 2011, 127, 369–373.
  71. Carmona, M.; Zalacain, A.; Sánchez, A.M.; Novella, J.L.; Alonso, G.L. Crocetin Esters, Picrocrocin and Its Related Compounds Present in Crocus Sativus Stigmas and Gardenia Jasminoides Fruits. Tentative Identification of Seven New Compounds by LC-ESI-MS. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2006, 54, 973–979.
  72. Moras, B.; Loffredo, L.; Rey, S. Quality Assessment of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Extracts via UHPLC-DAD-MS Analysis and Detection of Adulteration Using Gardenia Fruit Extract (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis). Food Chem. 2018, 257, 325–332.
  73. Guijarro-Díez, M.; Nozal, L.; Marina, M.L.; Crego, A.L. Metabolomic Fingerprinting of Saffron by LC/MS: Novel Authenticity Markers. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2015, 407, 7197–7213.
  74. Amanpour, A.; Kelebek, H.; Selli, S. GLC/HPLC Methods for Saffron (Crocus sativus L.); Springer: Cham, Switzerland, 2018; pp. 1–49.
  75. Parizad, S.; Dizadji, A.; Habibi, M.K.; Winter, S.; Kalantari, S.; Movi, S.; Lorenzo Tendero, C.; Alonso, G.L.; Moratalla-Lopez, N. The Effects of Geographical Origin and Virus Infection on the Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Quality. Food Chem. 2019, 295, 387–394.
  76. Moratalla-López, N.; Parizad, S.; Habibi, M.K.; Winter, S.; Kalantari, S.; Bera, S.; Lorenzo, C.; García-Rodríguez, M.V.; Dizadji, A.; Alonso, G.L. Impact of Two Different Dehydration Methods on Saffron Quality, Concerning the Prevalence of Saffron Latent Virus (SaLV) in Iran. Food Chem. 2021, 337, 127786.
  77. Rahaiee, S.; Hashemi, M.; Moini, S.; Shojaosadati, S.A.; Razavi, S.H. Comparison of Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant Activities of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Saffron. Qual. Assur. Saf. Crop. Foods 2015, 7, 521–529.
  78. Yousuf, B.; Qadri, O.S.; Srivastava, A.K. Recent Developments in Shelf-Life Extension of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables by Application of Different Edible Coatings: A Review. LWT Food Sci. Technol. 2018, 89, 198–209.
  79. Kyriakoudi, A.; Chrysanthou, A.; Mantzouridou, F.; Tsimidou, M.Z. Revisiting Extraction of Bioactive Apocarotenoids from Crocus sativus L. Dry Stigmas (Saffron). Anal. Chim. Acta 2012, 755, 77–85.
  80. Zhang, H.; Zeng, Y.; Yan, F.; Chen, F.; Zhang, X.; Liu, M.; Liu, W. Semi-Preparative Isolation of Crocins from Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Chromatographia 2004, 59.
More
© Text is available under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Upload a video for this entry
Information
Subjects: Food Science & Technology
Contributors MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register :
Raul Avila-Sosa
,
Guadalupe Virginia Nevárez-Moorillón
,
Carlos Enrique Ochoa-Velasco
,
Addí Rhode Navarro-Cruz
,
Paola Hernández-Carranza
,
Teresa Soledad Cid-Pérez
View Times: 4.4K
Revisions: 6 times (View History)
Update Date: 14 Nov 2022
Table of Contents
    1000/1000
    Hot Most Recent
    ScholarVision Creations
    Feedback