On The West Safflower Common Falsify The Identification And Determination Of Adulteration Quantity

Saffron is the dry stigmata of Crocus sativus L. Due to its high value, saffron is susceptible to adulteration, usually by adding other plant materials (e.g., safflower, chrysanthemum, corn silk, Lotus Stamen)to produce an increase in weight.Our research group got an idea focus on the adulterants. If we can find a specific constituent of each common adulterants, then by detecting it we can find whether the samples have been adulterated by corresponding material, and can assess the percentage. We have tested this idea in a few spices. Fraudpropolin A was detected as specific constituent to find if the propolis samples were adulterated by poplar gum, and to determine the percentage of poplar gum. Method used to identify and quantify common adulterants of Panax Ginseng by HPLC has been developed too.This study aimed to develop a method to identify and quantify the common adulterants of saffron by simultaneously determining specific constituents by HPLC and HPLC-MS/MS.By comparing the chemical composition of saffron and the three adulterants (corn silk, chrysanthemum and safflower), specific constituents were chosen. They are allantoin, vanillic acid and formoononetin for corn silk, chlorogenic acid for chrysanthemum, and hydroxysafflor yellow A for safflower, respectively.A method to identify and quantify the common adulterants of saffron by simultaneously determining specific constituents by HPLC-DAD was developed. By detecting the specific constituents, we could find out if the samples were adulterated with safflower and/or chrysanthemum and calculate the percentage. The method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy and recovery, and found to be satisfactory. A method to identify corn silk from saffron by HPLC was also studied, but it was not sucessful.To identify the three common adulterants of saffron simultaneously, a HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed. Allantoin, Chlorogenic acid and Hydroxysafflor yellow A were selected as specific constituents for corn stigma, chrysanthemum and safflower, respectively. This method can simultaneously identify corn silk, chrysanthemum and safflower.The method can simultaneously identify corn silk, chrysanthemum and safflower. It’s predominant for fractured materials and extracts. The category of saffron fakes were diversable due to the similar morphous. It needs more foundation research to solve more saffron fakes. The new points of the research:Identification method of saffron in references is most morphological and microscopical identification. It needs experience of the operator. We developed methods to identify and quantify the common adulterants of saffron by simultaneously determining specific constituents by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS/MS. By detecting the specific constituents, we could find out if the samples were adulterated with corresponding adulterant and calculated the percentage. It’s An attempt to Identification of saffron adulteration.