POSTHARVEST DEGRADATION OF CAROTENOID GLUCOSE ESTERS IN SAFFRON

It has been found that an indoor cultivation system of Crocus sativus L. is more favorable with regard to the quality of saffron, as compare d to the usual cultivation in an open held. Carotenoid glucose esters increase from the period before blooming and reach the maximum in the full blooming period, and are sensitive for the presence of oxygen, li ght irradiation, and beta-glucosidase. Moreover, it is evident that st orage of saffron at -20 degrees C promotes the constant supply of saff ron with a homogeneous pharmacological activity.