Top Three Adulterants of Saffron and Their Detection

Top Three Adulterants of Saffron and Their Detection:

Owing to its high price, Saffron is subjected to adulteration by:

 

1.       Materials having some external resemblance to saffron

·         Styles ,Stamens and Strips of Corolla of Saffron

·         Ligulate florets of Calendula after coloring with methyl orange

·         Safflower florets

2.       Exhausted Saffron:

(After coloring with Log wood or other synthetic pigments):

It is detected by color imparted to H₂O, which is red or orange instead of yellow.

3.       Materials added to increase its weight:

·         Mineral or Vegetable Oil ____leaves greasy stain on paper

·         Glycerin or other Water-Soluble materials:

Which detected through

(No ash on incineration, but high aqueous extractive value)