Comparative analysis of crocetin and its glycosyl esters from Crocus sativus L. and Crocus haussknechtii Boiss. as an alternative source of saffron

Stigmata of Crocus sativus L. and Crocus haussknechtii Boiss. were extracte d and analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liqu id chromatography (HPLC). Their carotenoid composition showed strong simila rity among all the crocetin-glycosyl esters, present in them, with minor qu antitative differences of more polar components. Crocetin aglycons were als o isolated from stigmata samples and characterized by analytical TLC and HP LC, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and high resolution Nuclear Magnetic Reson ance (H-1 and C-13 NMR) spectroscopy. The relatively high concentrations of pigments in C.haussknechtii stigmata and the similarity of carotenoid comp osition of this species with those of C. sativus showed that some of the wi ld species of Crocus can be used as a potential source of saffron.