The colorful compound of saffron is due to Crosin or Crocoside.
Chemical composition of Saffron
Essential oil aroma is due to Safranal. Picrocrocin or Picrocrosinoside is hydrolyzed to glucose and Safranal and Crosin or Crocoside the colorful compound which is carotenoid is formed. This compound is then hydrolyzed to Gentiobiose and Crosetin.
Saffron contains a complex of yellow color glycosides and additionally contains glysirin esters of palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Lauric acid and Oleic acid, vitamin B1, B2, starch, α-β and γ carotene, zantophile, Hentriacontane, Lycopene and Zeaxanthin.
