Comparing Tunisian and Spanish saffron regarding their bioactive metabolites using HPLC and GC methods

Saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.) is valued worldwide for its traditional medicinal use and for a range of potential clinical and pharmaceutical uses. The beneficial properties of this medicinal plant are due to its secondary bioactive metabolites, which are responsible for colour (crocetin esters), taste (picrocrocin) and aroma (safranal) of saffron. To differentiate the quality of saffron it is necessary to determine the content of these metabolites. The aim of this study was to compare saffron commercial samples, which were available to consumers on the market both in a producing country and in a non-producer country. Random sampling was performed from the market of Albacete province, as it is the largest saffron producer in Spain, and from the market of Tunis region (Tunisia) as non-producer one. The bioactive metabolites quantification was carried out by using methods based on HPLC-DAD and DHD/GC/MS techniques. Results revealed that all Albacete market samples analysed belonged to Crocus sativus L. spice, while in the case of Tunisians market samples, five belonged to Carthamus tinctorius L. The commercial samples of Spain showed higher contents of crocetin esters and picrocrocin, and lower contents of aroma compounds than commercial samples of saffron from Tunisia.