Mineral composition of saffron from Spain and other countries - Application to differentiation

Two hundred forty seven samples of the spice saffron were used, most of the m coming from Spanish areas where the crop of saffron is very traditional. Spanish samples were acquired directly to the producers. The production are a termed <<La Mancha>> names the saffron of the best standardised quality. There were few samples from other countries, but their origin and purity we re ensured, which was of primary importance the first aim of present work. The minimum-maximun interval for the concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Na was established. We observed a multivariate correlation b etween K/P concentrations and between those K/Mg. These ratios may be used for adulteration control. A discriminant analysis conducted on samples clas sified by their province of origin within Spain and in one group if foreign , classified correctly 91.2% of the samples using three canonic functions i nvolving: Mn, Cu, K Na, Fe and N.