Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive Compounds

Saffron petals represent floral biomass generally wasted due to rapid deterioration. Previous characterization studies have revealed the presence of bioactive compounds in petals, such as flavonols and anthocyanins. Petal stabilization is a challenge for the efficient isolation of these compounds. T...

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Main Authors: Inmaculada Criado-Navarro, Francisco Barba-Palomeque, Pedro Pérez-Juan, Carlos A. Ledesma-Escobar, Feliciano Priego-Capote
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/23/3724
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author Inmaculada Criado-Navarro
Francisco Barba-Palomeque
Pedro Pérez-Juan
Carlos A. Ledesma-Escobar
Feliciano Priego-Capote
author_facet Inmaculada Criado-Navarro
Francisco Barba-Palomeque
Pedro Pérez-Juan
Carlos A. Ledesma-Escobar
Feliciano Priego-Capote
author_sort Inmaculada Criado-Navarro
collection DOAJ
description Saffron petals represent floral biomass generally wasted due to rapid deterioration. Previous characterization studies have revealed the presence of bioactive compounds in petals, such as flavonols and anthocyanins. Petal stabilization is a challenge for the efficient isolation of these compounds. This research evaluated three different drying techniques before the solid–liquid extraction of bioactive compounds: oven-drying (40 and 60 °C), lyophilization, and vacuum evaporation (25 and 50 °C). The characterization of the extracts allowed the annotation of 22 metabolites with a quantitative predominance of anthocyanins and derivatives of kaempferol and quercetin. Oven-drying at 60 °C was the most suitable approach for extracting minor compounds, such as crocins and safranal, at concentrations below 1 mg/g dry weight. Vacuum evaporation (50 °C) and lyophilization were the most recommended strategies for efficiently isolating flavonoids. Therefore, drying saffron petals is crucial to ensure the efficient extraction of bioactive compounds.
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series Foods
spelling doaj-art-69ec2301d8fe47a09526c9725d9b5f7f2025-08-20T01:55:28ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582024-11-011323372410.3390/foods13233724Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive CompoundsInmaculada Criado-Navarro0Francisco Barba-Palomeque1Pedro Pérez-Juan2Carlos A. Ledesma-Escobar3Feliciano Priego-Capote4Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainRegulatory Council Foundation of the Protected Designation of Origin Azafrán de La Mancha, 45720 Toledo, SpainDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainSaffron petals represent floral biomass generally wasted due to rapid deterioration. Previous characterization studies have revealed the presence of bioactive compounds in petals, such as flavonols and anthocyanins. Petal stabilization is a challenge for the efficient isolation of these compounds. This research evaluated three different drying techniques before the solid–liquid extraction of bioactive compounds: oven-drying (40 and 60 °C), lyophilization, and vacuum evaporation (25 and 50 °C). The characterization of the extracts allowed the annotation of 22 metabolites with a quantitative predominance of anthocyanins and derivatives of kaempferol and quercetin. Oven-drying at 60 °C was the most suitable approach for extracting minor compounds, such as crocins and safranal, at concentrations below 1 mg/g dry weight. Vacuum evaporation (50 °C) and lyophilization were the most recommended strategies for efficiently isolating flavonoids. Therefore, drying saffron petals is crucial to ensure the efficient extraction of bioactive compounds.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/23/3724saffronpetalsdryingflavonoidsanthocyaninsevaporation
spellingShingle Inmaculada Criado-Navarro
Francisco Barba-Palomeque
Pedro Pérez-Juan
Carlos A. Ledesma-Escobar
Feliciano Priego-Capote
Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive Compounds
Foods
saffron
petals
drying
flavonoids
anthocyanins
evaporation
title Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive Compounds
title_full Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive Compounds
title_fullStr Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive Compounds
title_full_unstemmed Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive Compounds
title_short Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive Compounds
title_sort drying of saffron petals as a critical step for the stabilization of this floral residue prior to extraction of bioactive compounds
topic saffron
petals
drying
flavonoids
anthocyanins
evaporation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/23/3724
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