Theoretical and experimental evaluation of biosolvents with different degrees of hydrophobicity for the extraction of safranal and crocins from saffron
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a rich source of safranal and crocins, compounds responsible for its organoleptic and bioactive properties. Currently, there is a growing interest in obtaining saffron-based bioactive ingredients using sustainable technologies to develop functional products. This study ex...
| Autores: | , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2026 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) |
| Repositorio: | DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:digital.csic.es:10261/415885 |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/10261/415885 https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/105023957060 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | COSMO-RS Crocins HPLC-DAD-MS NADES Saffron Safranal Biochemistry |
| Sumario: | Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a rich source of safranal and crocins, compounds responsible for its organoleptic and bioactive properties. Currently, there is a growing interest in obtaining saffron-based bioactive ingredients using sustainable technologies to develop functional products. This study explores the use of green biosolvents, including natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs), for the extraction of safranal and crocins. Solvent selection was guided by COSMO-RS (COnductor-like Screening MOdel for Real Solvents) predictions, also considering solvent polarity, toxicity level, and commercial availability. These predictions were also validated through σ-profile analysis and molecular dynamics simulations. Selected solvents, namely verbenone, carvacrol, and NADESs based on thymol and choline chloride, were evaluated against conventional solvents (H₂O and MeOH:H₂O). Saffron extracts were analysed using HPLC-DAD-MS, with choline chloride:ethylene glycol emerging as the most effective extractant for safranal (2.55 mg g⁻¹), comparable to MeOH:H₂O (2.56 mg g⁻¹), and superior to H₂O (1.29 mg g⁻¹). These solvents also provided the highest crocin recoveries (114.76-117.16 mg g⁻¹). Among the terpenoid-based solvents, carvacrol exhibited a higher selectivity for safranal (1.04 mg g⁻¹), with only 0.91 mg g⁻¹ for crocins. Overall, the hydrophilic solvents were more efficient than the hydrophobic ones, finding a clear relationship between polarity and extraction capacity. These findings suggest the potential application of choline chloride:ethylene glycol NADES in the food industry for the extraction of bioactives from saffron, providing ecological benefits with low health risks and environmental impact. |
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