Determination of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) quality characteristics in Herat – Afghanistan

Abstract

Purpose: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a strategic medicinal and spice plant in the world. This study aimed to determine saffron stigma quality obtained from different regions of Herat province in Afghanistan. Research method: The experiment was contacted at the food technology lab, faculty of agriculture, Herat University, in 2018. The experiment was set up on a completely randomize design (CRD) with twenty replications. Saffron stigma samples were collected from different parts of Herat province (Ghoryan, Phashton Zarghon, Gozarah districts, and producer companies), and then transferred to the laboratory for determining the saffron quality parameters such as crocins, picrocrocin and safranal using spectrophotometer. Findings: Results showed that the amounts of picrocrocin and safranal were significantly different between stigmas produced in different regions, but there was no significant difference in terms of crocin. The highest amounts of picrocrocin (104.50ϕ 257nm) and safranal (34.95 θ330nm) were recorded in the stigma samples collected from production companies, while the highest amount of crocin (236.95 ω 440nm) obtained from Pashton Zarghon sample. Evaluation of mentioned qualitative attributes among saffron samples and their comparison with ISO 3632 standard showed that all samples were desirable in terms of crocin (>190 ω 440nm), picrocrocin (>70 ϕ257nm) and safranal (>20 θ 330nm), which were laid in (I) category. Research limitations: There was no limitations to report. Originality/Value: This research is one of the first reports on saffron quality produced in Herat.

Keywords

• crocin
• picrocrocin
• saffron
• safranal