Comparative study on nutraceutical andsensorial characteristics of saffron (Crocussativus L.) cultivated in Iran, Spain, and Türkiye

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Quality properties of 14 saffron samples from Iran, Spain, and Türkiye were compared.RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between anthocyanins, volatile compounds, fatty acids, total phenolic content,and antioxidant activity of saffron samples (P < 0.05). Besides, significant differences in color parameters were observed. More-over, a total of 13 volatile compounds were identified in the saffron samples using. headspace–solid-phase microextraction–gaschromatography–mass spectrometry, safranal and ⊍-isophorone being the two predominant aroma compounds. Regardingfatty acids, significant differences were seen in the fatty acid profiles of saffron samples (P < 0.05), while linoleic acid wasthe most concentrated fatty acid. In terms of sensory properties, different concentrations of safranal, ⊍-isophorone and4-ketoisophorone may lead to significant differences in the odor and taste attributes of saffron samples (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Changes in corm origin along with climate and agricultural conditions may affect the quality characteristics ofsaffron cultivated in different geographical areas to a significant degree.