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. 2024 Jun 1;29(11):2600.
doi: 10.3390/molecules29112600.

Exploring Phenolic Compounds Extraction from Saffron (C. sativus) Floral By-Products Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction, and Subcritical Water Extraction

Valentina Masala  1 , Stela Jokić  2 , Krunoslav Aladić  2 , Maja Molnar  2 , Carlo Ignazio Giovanni Tuberoso  1
Affiliations

Exploring Phenolic Compounds Extraction from Saffron (C. sativus) Floral By-Products Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction, and Subcritical Water Extraction

Valentina Masala et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Saffron (Crocus sativus) floral by-products are a source of phenolic compounds that can be recovered and used in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic industries. This study aimed to evaluate the phenolic compounds' extraction using green extraction techniques (GETs) in saffron floral by-products and to explore the influence of selected extraction techniques on the phytochemical composition of the extracts. Specifically, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), subcritical water extraction (SWE), and deep eutectic solvents extraction (DESE) were used. Phenolic compounds were identified with (HR) LC-ESI-QTOF MS/MS analysis, and the quantitative analysis was performed with HPLC-PDA. Concerning the extraction techniques, UAE showed the highest amount for both anthocyanins and flavonoids with 50:50% v/v ethanol/water as solvent (93.43 ± 4.67 mg/g of dry plant, dp). Among SWE, extraction with 96% ethanol and t = 125 °C gave the best quantitative results. The 16 different solvent mixtures used for the DESE showed the highest amount of flavonoids (110.95 ± 5.55-73.25 ± 3.66 mg/g dp), while anthocyanins were better extracted with choline chloride:butane-1,4-diol (16.0 ± 0.80 mg/g dp). Consequently, GETs can be employed to extract the bioactive compounds from saffron floral by-products, implementing recycling and reduction of waste and fitting into the broader circular economy discussion.

Keywords: HPLC-PDA; LC-MS/MS; delphinidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside; floral by-product; green extraction; kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside; phenolic compounds; saffron.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
HPLC-PDA fingerprinting for selected C. sativus floral by-product extracts (UAE: ultrasound-assisted extraction; SWE: subcritical water extraction; DES: deep eutectic solvent) at λ = 360 and 520 nm. Peak identification is given in Table 2. Chromatographic conditions are described in the text.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Quantification of phenolic compounds by the LC-PDA method (mg/100 g dp) in C. sativus floral by-product extracts. Data are given as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3). Mean values within a line with different letters (a–f) are significantly different (homogenous groups) at p ≤ 0.05.
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