Study of Genunity of Saffron Samples — A Case Study

596-598The paper analyses saffron samples for adulteration referred to this laboratory. The percentage of watersoluble and alcoholsoluble in the fake samples differed considerably when compared with genuine samples. Analytical techniques such as HPTLC and UV spectrophotometry were used for qualitative identification of the constituents, i.e ., crocin and picrocrocin in the refereed samples. An attempt is made to separate and identify the crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal constituents in the saffron samples by HPTLC. The quantitative estimation of crocin in the fake and genuine samples was studied by UV spectrophotometry. The fake samples contain about 3-5 per cent of crocin when compared with genuine samples. Thus, analytical techniques such as water soluble, alcohol soluble percentage and quantitative estimation of crocin by UV spectrophotometry substantially differentiate the adulterated saffron samples from genuine sample