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Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Fruit Volatile Analysis Using an Electronic Nose
Published on: March 30, 2012
The Relation between Drying Conditions and the Development of Volatile Compounds in Saffron (Crocus sativus)
Teresa Soledad Cid-Pérez1, Guadalupe Virginia Nevárez-Moorillón2, Carlos Enrique Ochoa-Velasco1
1Departamento de Bioquímica-Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Benemértia Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla 72240, Mexico.
Abstract:
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).
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