Insights from the analysis of draft genome sequence of Crocus sativus L.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the low yielding plant of medicinal and economic importance. Therefore, it is of interest to report the draft genome sequence of C. sativus. The draft genome of C. sativus has been assembled using Illumina sequencing and is 3.01 Gb long covering 84.24% of genome. C. sativus genome annotation identified 53,546 functional genes (including 5726 transcription factors), 862,275 repeats and 964,231 SSR markers. The genes involved in the apocarotenoids biosynthesis pathway (crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal) were found in the draft genome analysis.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Flower Water Extract Disrupts the Cecal Microbiome, Brush Border Membrane Functionality, and Morphology In Vivo (Gallus gallus)

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is known as the most expensive spice. C. sativus dried red stigmas, called threads, are used for culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal purposes. The rest of the flower is often discarded, but is now being used in teas, as coloring agents, and fodder. Previous studies have attributed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-depressant, and anticancer properties to C. sativus floral bio-residues. The aim of this study is to assess C. sativus flower water extract (CFWE) for its effects on hemoglobin, brush boarder membrane (BBM) functionality, morphology, intestinal gene expression, and cecal microbiome in vivo (Gallus gallus), a clinically validated model. For this, Gallus gallus eggs were divided into six treatment groups (non-injected, 18 Ω H2O, 1% CFWE, 2% CFWE, 5% CFWE, and 10% CFWE) with n~10 for each group. On day 17 of incubation, 1 mL of the extracts/control were administered in the amnion of the eggs. The amniotic fluid along with the administered extracts are orally consumed by the developing embryo over the course of the next few days. On day 21, the hatchlings were euthanized, the blood, duodenum, and cecum were harvested for assessment. The results showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in hemoglobin concentration, villus surface area, goblet cell number, and diameter. Furthermore, we observed a significant increase in Paneth cell number and Mucin 2 (MUC2) gene expression proportional to the increase in CFWE concentration. Additionally, the cecum microbiome analysis revealed C. sativus flower water extract altered the bacterial populations. There was a significant dose-dependent reduction in Lactobacillus and Clostridium sp., suggesting an antibacterial effect of the extract on the gut in the given model. These results suggest that the dietary consumption of C. sativus flower may have negative effects on BBM functionality, morphology, mineral absorption, microbial populations, and iron status.

FORMULASI FACEMIST EKSTRAK ETANOL BUAH BENGKUANG (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb) DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN PEWARNA ALAMI SAFFRON (Crocus sativus L.)

Bengkuang (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb) adalah umbi yang memiliki kandungan zat yang bermanfaat meliputi antioksidan, vitamin C, air, antibakteri dan flavonoid. Flavonoid merupakan tabir surya alami untuk mencegah kerusakan kulit akibat radikal bebas. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) merupakan rempah - rempah yang termahal di dunia dengan rasa khas paitnya. Saffron digunakan sebagai pewarna alami yang berasal dari crocetin, glucosyl esters, dan the crocins. Saffron mengandung crocin yaitu salah satu bahan pewarna karotenoid yang membuat warna kuning keemasan. Facemist termasuk ke dalam kosmetik penyegar kulit (freshner). Fungsi utama penyegar adalah menyegarkan kulit wajah, mengangkat sisa minyak dari kulit yang dimungkinkan masih ada, serta desinfektan ringan dan sekaligus dapat membantu menutup pori-pori kembali. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk memformulasikan ekstrak etanol buah bengkuang dengan menggunakan pewarna alami saffron dan dilakukan uji evaluasi meliputi uji organoleptik, uji pH, uji bobot jenis, uji daya sebar semprot, uji kondisi semprotan dan uji waktu kering sehingga dapat diketahui konsentrasi sediaan facemist yang baik. Jenis penelitian yang dilakukan yaitu eksperimental dilaboratorium dengan membuat 5 formulasi yang terdiri dari F0 sebagai basis facemist, F1 dengan konsentrasi ekstrak etanol buah bengkuang sebesar 1 g, F2 3 g, F3 5 g, dan F4 7 g. Dari hasil uji evaluasi sediaan F4 merupakan formula yang paling baik.

The Relation between Drying Conditions and the Development of Volatile Compounds in Saffron (Crocus sativus)

Saffron is derived from the stigmas of the flower Crocus sativus L. The drying process is the most important post-harvest step for converting C. sativus stigmas into saffron. The aim of this review is to evaluate saffron’s post-harvest conditions in the development of volatile compounds and its aroma descriptors. It describes saffron’s compound generation by enzymatic pathways and degradation reactions. Saffron quality is described by their metabolite’s solubility and the determination of picrocrocin, crocins, and safranal. The drying process induce various modifications in terms of color, flavor and aroma, which take place in the spice. It affects the aromatic species chemical profile. In the food industry, saffron is employed for its sensory attributes, such as coloring, related mainly to crocins (mono-glycosyl esters or di-glycosyl polyene).