Analysis of Crocin Content in Saffron (Crocus sativus L) Cultivated in Syria Using Liquid ChromatographyMass Spectrometry

The cultivation of the Crocus sativus L. plant, commonly known as saffron, has recently been introduced to Syria.This cultivation holds significant economic importance, as saffron stigmas are considered one of the most expensive spices in the world.Crocin's, the secondary metabolites responsible for Safron's colour, also possess high medicinal significance.Therefore, the research aims to study the crocin content in saffron stigma extracts cultivated in the rural areas of Damascus and the Al-Ghab plain, utilizing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) as the analytical technique.Saffron stigmas were collected from the rural areas of Damascus and the Al-Ghab plain in Syria.Two extracts were prepared using 50% methanol.The extracts were then analysed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after the addition of 2-nitroaniline as an internal standard.The study revealed that trans-crocin 4 was the predominant compound in all saffron samples, followed by trans-crocin 3 and cis-crocin 4.Although trans-crocin 2, trans-crocin 2, and cis-crocin 2 were present in all saffron samples, their concentrations were comparatively lower.