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Analysis of Saffron (Crocus sativus L. Stigma) Components by LC–MS–MS

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Abstract

A liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric validated method was developed for the detection of chemicals attributing color, flavor, taste and medicinal properties to saffron (Crocus sativus L. stigma). Ultrasonic extractions of saffron stigmas were followed by LC procedure with Pinnacle II Cyano (5 μm 150 × 2.1 mm) column and acetonitrile: water (70:30, v/v) as mobile phase. Deprotonated ions formed by a turbo ion spray in negative MS mode were used to detect the analytes. MS–MS detection was by monitoring precursors (m/z) fragmentations; of 149 → 113 (safranal), 327 → 283 (crocetin), 329 → 167 (picrocrocin), 355 → 327 (dimethyl crocetin), 489 → 327 (crocin E), 535 → 489 (carotenes), 651 → 327 (crocin C), 813 → 652 (crocin B), 975 → 651 (crocin A) and 1,137 → 813 (crocin F). The method was validated for linearity, precision, repeatability and specificity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors warmly convey their appreciation for all the scientists whose publications have formed the basis of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Directorate of Forensic Science, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, CFI Complex, Plot no. 2, Dakshin Marg, Sector 36-A, Chandigarh, 160036, India

    Ranjit Singh Verma & Deepak Middha

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  1. Ranjit Singh Verma
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  2. Deepak Middha
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Correspondence to Deepak Middha.

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Verma, R.S., Middha, D. Analysis of Saffron (Crocus sativus L. Stigma) Components by LC–MS–MS. Chroma 71, 117–123 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1365/s10337-009-1398-z

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