Pharmaceutical Botanical evaluation of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) called samples sold in Turkey

Abstract

Crocus sativus L. (Saffron, Fam. Iridaceae) is a medicinal, commercial, historical and economically important plant that has been used in the treatment of various diseases since ancient times. Saffron, which is generally used by the public to add flavor and color to dishes, is difficult to cultivate and harvest due to the use of only dried stigmas and is known as the most expensive spice in the world. The macroscopic and microscopic properties of the samples sold under the name "Saffron" from 10 different cities of Turkey, as well as the drying loss, foreign matter amount determination, total ash amount determination, color density determination, phosphomolybdic acid reaction and elongation determination analysis tests were conducted and their conformity with European Pharmacopoeia standards was investigated. In this study, saffron samples purchased from a local producer in Safranbolu (Standard 1) and grown by ourselves (Standard 2) were used. As a result of our study, it was determined by morphological and microscopic studies that samples 2 and 4 completely belonged to the Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) plant. On the other hand, it has been revealed by the analyzes that the sample number six contains very little saffron stigma and mainly contains Safflower bulk flowers.