Use of non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis for the quality control of commercial saffron samples.
A non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) method for quantifying the seven crocin metabolites that are the major biologically active ingredients of saffron was developed. Separation is done by using a fused silica capillary filled with a 12.5 mM H3BO3/37.5 mM sodium tetraborate methanolic solution as background electrolyte. The results obtained were compared with the total index "safranal value", widely used as a quality measure of saffron products. The comparison revealed that the proposed NACE method provides useful information not obtained in the safranal value. Infact, samples with a similar safranal value can contain crocin metabolites in different concentrations and relative proportions. This new method is very useful for quality control in commercial saffron samples.
Zougagh
M
M
Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Marie Curie, Córdoba, Spain.
Simonet
B M
BM
Ríos
A
A
Valcárcel
M
M
D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D027622:Crocus / Q000737:chemistry*; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015394:Molecular Structure; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D011786:Quality Control
D028321:Plant Preparations; D002338:Carotenoids; C029036:crocin