Identification of crocin, crocetin and zeaxanthin in Crocus sativus grown under controlled environment in Malaysia
ISSN: 0369-9420
Article publication date: 21 August 2018
Issue publication date: 7 November 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to identify the high valuable compounds which are crocin, crocetin and zeaxanthin in the stigmas and stamens of Crocus sativus grown under controlled environment in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
Spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis were used to identify and measure crocin, crocetin and zeaxanthin content qualitatively and quantitatively in the stigmas and stamens of C. sativus grown under controlled environment in Malaysia.
Findings
The results of this study showed that crocin, crocetin and zeaxanthin were detected in the stigmas. However, among those three compounds, only crocetin was detected in the stamens. In the stigmas, the detectable level of crocin was high compared to crocetin and zeaxanthin. It was also found that crocetin was higher in the stamens compared to in the stigmas.
Originality/value
This is the first attempt in Malaysia that the stigmas and stamens were directly purified from the natural sources by means of no addition of preservatives as C. sativus has never been grown here before. Furthermore, limited reports are available regarding the identification of compounds in saffron stamens.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the University of Malaya for the facilities and financial supported by the Institute of Research Management and Monitoring, IPPP (Postgraduate Grant – PG175-2016A) and University of Malaya Research Grant, UMRG (RP024A-14AFR).
Citation
Anuar, N., Taha, R.M., Mahmad, N. and Othman, R. (2018), "Identification of crocin, crocetin and zeaxanthin in
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited