FT-IR, FT-RAMAN SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF CAROTENOIDS FROM SAFFRON (CROCUS-SATIVUS L.) AND SOME DERIVATIVES

The carotenoids of saffron, crocins (CRCs), were extracted and their d erivatives, dimethylcrocetin (DMCRT) and crocetin (CRT) were prepared from the extract by alkaline hydrolysis in methanol (DMCRT) and by alk aline hydrolysis in water followed by acidification (CRT), respectivel y. FT-IR, FT-Raman spectroscopies were used to study these compounds. The FT-IR spectra of CRCs, DMCRT and CRT have characteristic absorbanc e bands between 1706 and 1664 cm(-1) (nu(C=O)) and in the region betwe en 1243 and 1228 cm(-1) (nu(C-O)). Two main Raman lines were observed near 1540 and 1166 cm(-1) which are respectively assigned to (nu(C=C)) and (nu(C-C)) stretching modes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.