EFFECT OF GAMMA IRRADIATION ON CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SAFFRON PIGMENTS

Changes in coloring properties of saffron after γ- irradiation at doses of 2.5 and 5 kGy (necessary for microbial decontamination) were investigated. Carotene glycosides that impart color to the spice were isolated by solvent extraction and then subjected to high–performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fractionation of the above pigments into aglycon and glycosides was achieved by using ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively. Analysis of these fractions by HPLC revealed a decrease in glycosides and an increase in aglycon content in irradiated samples. The possibility of degradation of pigments during gamma irradiation is discussed.