Research account

of

S A F F R O N

(Crocus sativus Linn.)

Presented by

Dr. Sudhakar Kokate

Director PPRC, India

PPRC/INDIA 01

PPRC/INDIA 02

Family: Iridaceae

Most commercially important plants in the

world

Used as cosmetics, food, medicine

Most expensive food spices and condiments

Ancient books describe uses and medicinal

value

PPRC/INDIA 03

Quality and grades of saffron have great

values in different uses

Hindus consider saffron as an item of

reverence

Muslim priests prepare ‘n’ ink from it for

sacred writings

In Talisman it is used for welfare purpose

Sign of blessings of benefactionPPRC/INDIA 04

Uses

1. As a sensuous perfume

2. Histological stain as a dye for connective

tissue

3. As a dye to colour cheese, pudding

4. Gives stimulation of appetite

PPRC/INDIA 05

Uses

5. To flavour and colour meat, chicken, rice,

liquors, milk kheer, fruit salads, fine breads,

soups, ginger bread, milk product, shrikhand,

alcohol and beverages

PPRC/INDIA 06

Scientific perspective

• Anti-bacterial

• Astringent

• Diuretic

• Refrigerant

PPRC/INDIA 07

• Anti-histeric

• Stomachic

• Anti-septic

• Spasmodic

Scientific perspective

• Nerve sedative

• Carminative

• Diaphoretic

• Anti-tumour

PPRC/INDIA 08

• Anti-cancerous

• Aphrodisiac

• Metabolism

stimulant

Healing power

PPRC/INDIA 09

1. Indigestion

2. Improves eye-sight

3. Menstrual disorders

4. Kidney, urinary bladder disorders

5. Strengthens heart

Healing power

PPRC/INDIA 10

6. Diabetes

7. Cardiac vascular diseases

8. Safe abortifacient

9. Inhibit growth of human tumour cells

Healing power

PPRC/INDIA 11

10. A growing body of evidence indicate that

carotenoids possess anti-carcinogenic, anti-

mutagenic and immuno-modulatory effects

11. It has been found to be the richest source of

riboflavin

Healing power

PPRC/INDIA 12

12. Reduces cholesterol level in blood and

severity of atherosclerosis thus reducing the

chances of heart attack

13. ‘Crocetin’ present in saffron is found to

increase the yield of antibiotics

Compounds present

PPRC/INDIA 13

1. 3,5,5-tri-methyl 2-hydroxy1,4-cyclohexdion-

2-ene

2. 2,4,4-tri-methl-1,3-formyl-6-hydroxy-2,5

cyclohexdion-1-ene

Increases anti-bacterial and anti-viral

physiological activity of the body

Thank You!!