RESUMO
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).
Assuntos
Crocus/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis/análise , Crocus/metabolismo , Dessecação , Flores/química , Flores/metabolismo , Odorantes/análise , Extratos Vegetais/metabolismo , Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis/metabolismoRESUMO
This study evaluated the effect of turmeric powder (TP) on the productivity and egg quality of quails and on the quality of eggs stored at different temperatures for 7 or 14 d. Quails were distributed in three treatments that consisted of sorghum-based diets with 1.5% and 3% TP or zero TP inclusion, with five replicates for 84 d. Eggs were stored at ambient temperature or refrigerated for 7 or 14 d in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with three TP levels × two storage temperatures (ST) × two storage periods (SP). Inclusion of TP did not affect the performance of the quails or egg quality at 84 d. Interaction SP × ST influenced the height and diameter of yolk and albumen, and the Haugh unit value. Eggs of quails with a diet supplemented with 3% TP and stored for 14 d showed specific gravity similar to the eggs stored for 7 d, despite the TP supplementation. It was concluded that diets with 3% TP did not affect the performance and quality of fresh eggs but improved the quality of eggs stored for 14 d at ambient temperature.(AU)
Este estudo avaliou o efeito de açafrão em pó (AP) sobre a produtividade e qualidade de ovos de codornas e sobre a qualidade de ovos armazenados em diferentes temperaturas por 7 ou 14 dias. Codornas foram distribuídas em três tratamentos que consistiram em dietas baseadas em sorgo com (1,5 e 3%) ou sem inclusão de AP e cinco repetições por 84 dias. Ovos foram armazenados em temperatura ambiente ou refrigerados por 7 ou 14 dias em arranjo fatorial 3 × 2 × 2 com três níveis de AP × duas temperaturas de armazenamento (TA) × dois períodos de armazenamento (PA). A inclusão de AP não afetou o desempenho das codornas ou a qualidade de ovo aos 84 dias. A interação TA × PA influenciou a altura e o diâmetro de gema e albúmen e o valor de unidade Haugh. Ovos de codornas com dietas suplementadas com 3% AP e armazenados por 14 dias mostraram peso específico similar ao de ovos armazenados por 7 dias, independente da suplementação com AP. Concluiu-se que dietas com 3% de AP não afetaram o desempenho e qualidade de ovos frescos mas melhorou a qualidade de ovos armazenados por 14 dias em temperatura ambiente.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Coturnix/metabolismo , Crocus/química , Ração Animal/análise , Ovos/análise , Aditivos Alimentares/químicaRESUMO
This study evaluated the effect of turmeric powder (TP) on the productivity and egg quality of quails and on the quality of eggs stored at different temperatures for 7 or 14 d. Quails were distributed in three treatments that consisted of sorghum-based diets with 1.5% and 3% TP or zero TP inclusion, with five replicates for 84 d. Eggs were stored at ambient temperature or refrigerated for 7 or 14 d in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with three TP levels × two storage temperatures (ST) × two storage periods (SP). Inclusion of TP did not affect the performance of the quails or egg quality at 84 d. Interaction SP × ST influenced the height and diameter of yolk and albumen, and the Haugh unit value. Eggs of quails with a diet supplemented with 3% TP and stored for 14 d showed specific gravity similar to the eggs stored for 7 d, despite the TP supplementation. It was concluded that diets with 3% TP did not affect the performance and quality of fresh eggs but improved the quality of eggs stored for 14 d at ambient temperature.
Este estudo avaliou o efeito de açafrão em pó (AP) sobre a produtividade e qualidade de ovos de codornas e sobre a qualidade de ovos armazenados em diferentes temperaturas por 7 ou 14 dias. Codornas foram distribuídas em três tratamentos que consistiram em dietas baseadas em sorgo com (1,5 e 3%) ou sem inclusão de AP e cinco repetições por 84 dias. Ovos foram armazenados em temperatura ambiente ou refrigerados por 7 ou 14 dias em arranjo fatorial 3 × 2 × 2 com três níveis de AP × duas temperaturas de armazenamento (TA) × dois períodos de armazenamento (PA). A inclusão de AP não afetou o desempenho das codornas ou a qualidade de ovo aos 84 dias. A interação TA × PA influenciou a altura e o diâmetro de gema e albúmen e o valor de unidade Haugh. Ovos de codornas com dietas suplementadas com 3% AP e armazenados por 14 dias mostraram peso específico similar ao de ovos armazenados por 7 dias, independente da suplementação com AP. Concluiu-se que dietas com 3% de AP não afetaram o desempenho e qualidade de ovos frescos mas melhorou a qualidade de ovos armazenados por 14 dias em temperatura ambiente.
Assuntos
Animais , Coturnix/metabolismo , Crocus/química , Ovos/análise , Ração Animal/análise , Aditivos Alimentares/químicaRESUMO
In our previous study, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Crocus sativus elicited antinociceptive effects in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. In this study, we explored anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of such extracts in CCI animals. A total of 72 animals were divided as vehicle-treated CCI rats, sham group, CCI animals treated with the effective dose of aqueous and ethanolic extracts (200 mg/kg, i.p.). The lumbar spinal cord levels of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were evaluated at days 3 and 7 after CCI (n=3, for each group). The apoptotic protein changes were evaluated at days 3 and 7 by western blotting. Oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione reduced (GSH), were measured on day 7 after CCI. Inflammatory cytokines levels increased in CCI animals on days 3 and 7, which were suppressed by both extracts. The ratio of Bax/ Bcl2 was elevated on day 3 but not on day 7, in CCI animals as compared to sham operated animals and decreased following treatment with both extracts at this time. Both extracts attenuated MDA and increased GSH levels in CCI animals. It may be concluded that saffron alleviates neuropathic pain, at least in part, through attenuation of proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidant activity and apoptotic pathways.
Assuntos
Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Crocus/química , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo , Neuralgia/tratamento farmacológico , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Animais , Constrição , Masculino , Ratos WistarRESUMO
Crocins are carotenoid derivates that have recently attracted the interest of the scientific community due to their nutraceutical properties. Saffron (dry Crocus sativus stigmas) is one of the main known sources of crocins. In this study the potential use of aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) for the extraction of crocins from C. sativus stigmas was evaluated. The partitioning behavior of crocins in different types of ATPS (polymer-polymer, polymer-salt, alcohol-salt and ionic liquid-salt) was evaluated. Ethanol-potassium phosphate ATPS were selected based on their high top phase recovery yield and low cost of system constituents. The evaluation and optimization of system parameters rendered conditions (V(R)=3.2, ethanol 19.8% (w/w), potassium phosphate 16.5% (w/w), TLL of 25% (w/w), 0.1M NaCl and 2% (w/w) of sample load) under which more than 75% of total crocins were recovered in the top (ethanol rich) phase, whereas the wasted stigmas accumulated in the bottom phase. Lastly, a comparison between an optimized solid-liquid extraction using ethanol:water as solvent and ATPS was conducted demonstrating that similar yields are achieved with both strategies (76.89 ± 18% and 79.27 ± 1.6%, respectively). However, ATPS rendered a higher extraction selectivity of 1.3 ± 0.04 mg of crocins for each mg of phenolic compound, whereas ethanolic extraction showed a selectivity of 0.87 ± 0.01. The results reported herein demonstrate the potential application of ATPS, particularly ethanol-potassium phosphate systems, for the recovery of crocins from C. sativus stigmas.
Assuntos
Carotenoides/isolamento & purificação , Crocus/química , Extração Líquido-Líquido/métodos , Análise de Variância , Carotenoides/química , Dextranos , Etanol/química , Líquidos Iônicos , Fosfatos/química , Polietilenoglicóis , Compostos de Potássio/química , Sais , Cloreto de SódioRESUMO
Crocus sativus, known as saffron, is used in folk medicine for treatment of different types of diseases, and its anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities have been demonstrated. The present study evaluated gentamicin nephrotoxicity in saffron treated rats. Male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were treated with saffron (40 or 80 mg/k/d) for 10 days, or saffron (40 or 80 mg/ kg/d) for 10 days and gentamicin 80 mg/kg/d for five days, starting from day 6. At the end of treatment, blood samples were taken for measurement of serum creatinine (SCr) and BUN. The left kidney was prepared for histological evaluation and the right kidney for Malondialdehyde (MDA) measurement. Gentamicin 80 (mg/k/d) increased SCr, BUN and renal tissue levels of MDA and induced severe histological changes. Saffron at 40 mg/k/d significantly reduced gentamicin-induced increases in BUN and histological scores (p<0.05). Gentamicin-induced increases in BUN, SCr and MDA and histological injury were significantly reduced by treatment with saffron 80 mg/k/d (p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.05, and p<0.001 respectively). In conclusion, our results suggest that saffron treatment reduces gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and this effect seems to be dose dependent.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/toxicidade , Crocus/química , Gentamicinas/toxicidade , Nefropatias/induzido quimicamente , Nefropatias/tratamento farmacológico , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Animais , Masculino , Malondialdeído/análise , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
Crocus sativus, known as saffron, is used in folk medicine for treatment of different types of diseases, and its anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities have been demonstrated. The present study evaluated gentamicin nephrotoxicity in saffron treated rats. Male Wistar rats (200-250g) were treated with saffron (40 or 80 mg/k/d) for 10 days, or saffron (40 or 80 mg/ kg/d) for 10 days and gentamicin 80 mg/kg/d for five days, starting from day 6. At the end of treatment, blood samples were taken for measurement of serum creatinine (SCr) and BUN. The left kidney was prepared for histological evaluation and the right kidney for Malondialdehyde (MDA) measurement. Gentamicin 80 (mg/k/d) increased SCr, BUN and renal tissue levels of MDA and induced severe histological changes. Saffron at 40 mg/k/d significantly reduced gentamicin-induced increases in BUN and histological scores (p<0.05). Gentamicin-induced increases in BUN, SCr and MDA and histological injury were significantly reduced by treatment with saffron 80 mg/k/d (p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.05, and p<0.001 respectively). In conclusion, our results suggest that saffron treatment reduces gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and this effect seems to be dose dependent.
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Ratos , Antibacterianos/toxicidade , Crocus/química , Gentamicinas/toxicidade , Nefropatias/induzido quimicamente , Nefropatias/tratamento farmacológico , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Malondialdeído/análise , Ratos Wistar , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
Saffron is harvested from the dried, dark red stigmas of Crocus sativus L. flowers. It is used as a spice for flavoring and coloring food and as a perfume. It is often used for treating several diseases. We assessed the antimutagenic, comutagenic and cytotoxic effects of saffron and its main ingredients using the Ames/Salmonella test system, two well known mutagens (BP, 2AA), the in vitro colony formation assay and four different cultured human normal (CCD-18Lu) and malignant (HeLa, A-204 and HepG2) cells. When only using the TA98 strain in the Ames/Salmonella test system, saffron showed non-mutagenic, as well as non-antimutagenic activity against BP-induced mutagenicity, and demonstrated a dose-dependent co-mutagenic effect on 2-AA-induced mutagenicity. The saffron component responsible for this unusual comutagenic effect was safranal. In the in vitro colony formation test system, saffron displayed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect only against human malignant cells. All isolated carotenoid ingredients of saffron demonstrated cytotoxic activity against in vitro tumor cells. Saffron crocin derivatives possessed a stronger inhibitory effect on tumor cell colony formation. Overall, these results suggest that saffron itself, as well as its carotenoid components might be used as potential cancer chemopreventive agents.
Assuntos
Antimutagênicos/toxicidade , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Crocus/toxicidade , Testes de Mutagenicidade/métodos , Extratos Vegetais/toxicidade , Antracenos/toxicidade , Antimutagênicos/química , Benzo(a)pireno/toxicidade , Crocus/química , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Células HeLa , Humanos , Mutagênicos/toxicidade , Extratos Vegetais/química , Salmonella typhimurium/efeitos dos fármacos , Salmonella typhimurium/genética , Células-Tronco/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
UNLABELLED: Cancer is a very important national health problem in Mexico, while a significant increase in the total and childhood cancer mortality has been recorded during the last decades. Chemoprevention, defined as the use of natural or synthetic agents to prevent or to block the development of cancer in human beings, is a new and promising strategy in the battle against cancer. Saffron, obtained from the dried red-dark stigmas of Crocus sativus L., an important spice rich in carotenoids, is commonly consumed in different parts of the world and used as a medical drug to treat numerous diseases. OBJECTIVE: To test the toxicity of saffron extract in vivo; to separate different ingredients in saffron extracts; to examine the cytotoxic effect of saffron and its main components on the growth of different human malignant cells in vitro; to evaluate the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of saffron extract. METHODS: HPLC with photodiode-array detection was used for semi-preparative separation of different ingredients of saffron crude extract. Colony formation assay was used to determinate the cytotoxic activity of saffron extract and its components on human tumor cells in vitro. Mutagenicity and antimutagenicity assays were performed by the Ames method. RESULTS: Saffron is not toxic, non-mutagenic, non-antimutagenic and non-comutagenic. Twelve components were isolated: crocin-1, crocin-2, crocin-3, picrocroein, acid form of picrocrocin, HTCC-diglycosil-kaempferol trans-crocin-4, trans-crocin-2, trans-crocin-3, safranal, crocetin and cis-crocin-3. Saffron extract itself and some of its ingredients displayed a dose-dependent inhibitory activity against different types of human malignant cells in vitro. HeLa cells were more susceptible to saffron than other tested cells. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results and literature data indicate that saffron could be used as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent in clinical trials.