Research account
of
S A F F R O N
(Crocus sativus Linn.)
Presented by
Dr. Sudhakar Kokate
Director PPRC, India
PPRC/INDIA 01
PPRC/INDIA 02
Family: Iridaceae
Most commercially important plants in the
world
Used as cosmetics, food, medicine
Most expensive food spices and condiments
Ancient books describe uses and medicinal
value
PPRC/INDIA 03
Quality and grades of saffron have great
values in different uses
Hindus consider saffron as an item of
reverence
Muslim priests prepare ‘n’ ink from it for
sacred writings
In Talisman it is used for welfare purpose
Sign of blessings of benefactionPPRC/INDIA 04
Uses
1. As a sensuous perfume
2. Histological stain as a dye for connective
tissue
3. As a dye to colour cheese, pudding
4. Gives stimulation of appetite
PPRC/INDIA 05
Uses
5. To flavour and colour meat, chicken, rice,
liquors, milk kheer, fruit salads, fine breads,
soups, ginger bread, milk product, shrikhand,
alcohol and beverages
PPRC/INDIA 06
Scientific perspective
• Anti-bacterial
• Astringent
• Diuretic
• Refrigerant
PPRC/INDIA 07
• Anti-histeric
• Stomachic
• Anti-septic
• Spasmodic
Scientific perspective
• Nerve sedative
• Carminative
• Diaphoretic
• Anti-tumour
PPRC/INDIA 08
• Anti-cancerous
• Aphrodisiac
• Metabolism
stimulant
Healing power
PPRC/INDIA 09
1. Indigestion
2. Improves eye-sight
3. Menstrual disorders
4. Kidney, urinary bladder disorders
5. Strengthens heart
Healing power
PPRC/INDIA 10
6. Diabetes
7. Cardiac vascular diseases
8. Safe abortifacient
9. Inhibit growth of human tumour cells
Healing power
PPRC/INDIA 11
10. A growing body of evidence indicate that
carotenoids possess anti-carcinogenic, anti-
mutagenic and immuno-modulatory effects
11. It has been found to be the richest source of
riboflavin
Healing power
PPRC/INDIA 12
12. Reduces cholesterol level in blood and
severity of atherosclerosis thus reducing the
chances of heart attack
13. ‘Crocetin’ present in saffron is found to
increase the yield of antibiotics
Compounds present
PPRC/INDIA 13
1. 3,5,5-tri-methyl 2-hydroxy1,4-cyclohexdion-
2-ene
2. 2,4,4-tri-methl-1,3-formyl-6-hydroxy-2,5
cyclohexdion-1-ene
Increases anti-bacterial and anti-viral
physiological activity of the body
Thank You!!
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