Easiest method to identify adulterated saffron

Saffron, a well known spices attract the people due to its high medicinal as well as confectionary properties. The saffron use had been reported since Vedic periods. In ancient days, it was used for gaining the natural color of many sweets and condiments, applied as tilaka (red dot on the forehead). Saffron is a small bulbous perennial, 15- 25 cm high, and cultivated by corms. Therapeutically, it had been reported to use in the preparation of many Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani formulations. It is a powerful antioxidant, relaxing mood, treating depressive symptoms, reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS), aphrodisiac, reduce appetite, and aid to weight loss and also has anti-cancerous properties. The stigmas are also reported to use to making medicine for asthma, cough, whooping cough (pertussis), and to loosen phlegm (as an expectorant). Saffron is also good for colds and coughs, stomach issues, uterine bleeding, insomnia, flatulence and heart trouble; it is also great for the skin. It is rich in manganese, which regulates blood sugar and in turn gives you glowing skin. 

Saffron (Kumkuma or Keshar) is the most expensive spice in the world due to its labor-intensive harvesting method, making the production costly. Saffron is harvested by hand from the flower of Crocus sativus (Family - Iridaceae) and commonly known as the “saffron crocus.” The term “saffron” applies to the flower's thread-like structures, or stigma.

The greater demand of saffron is attracting high profitable business at the same time chances of adulteration is more? One thing should be noted that once the saffron gets adulterated or substituted, it is very difficult to segregate from good materials and thus the efficacy of drugs cannot be determined. It is clearly mentioned in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India that the saffron must be free from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and florets of marigold (Tagetes erecta). When we start identification of saffron as per the specification mentioned in aforesaid Pharmacopeias, we will often try to check the adulteration in the form of safflower and marigold florets. This makes alertness to those people who try to adulterate the original saffron and therefore, the adulteration catches other path and start mixing some other materials that are not able to catch easily due to more similarity in morphology. This becomes more troublesome when both natural and artificial saffron found mixed together in the same packet.

A. Original Saffron

B. Artificial Saffron

C. Original Saffron (Close view)

D. Artificial Saffron (Close view)

Following two main observations may make it easy to identify the adulteration even on the spot of the arrival of the material and if is found adulterated, may be sent back to the supplier for its replacement without further delay so as to get good material in time in order to avoid interruption in the productions of medicines.

1. The original saffron has dark red or reddish-brown trifid stigma and cornucopia shaped. The margin of stigma is fimbricate (hair-like projection at the margin of stigma) whereas; the artificial stigma has a sharp cutting edge and smooth margin. The color of stigma may slightly show differences and remain in dark pink color when seen with a hand lens (Image A & C).

2. Under Microscope, thin-walled parenchyma cells found containing coloring matter; at the upper end numerous cylindrical trichomes are seen. Some of the pollen grains either adhering to stigma or occasionally germinated and exhibiting pollen tubes. Whereas in artificial saffron stigma will not show such characters except thin-walled parenchyma cells (Image B&D).

The above identification is practically enough to decide the prime quality for authentication whether the supplied material is real saffron. After that other tests may be performed to access its potency and efficacy of the saffron.