Use of non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis for the quality control of commercial saffron samples

A non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) method for quantifying the seven crocin metabolites that are the major biologically active ingredients of saffron was developed. Separation is done by using a fused silica capillary filled with a 12.5 mM H3BO3/37.5 mM sodium tetraborate methanolic solution as background electrolyte. The results obtained were compared with the total index “safranal value”, widely used as a quality measure of saffron products. The comparison revealed that the proposed NACE method provides useful information not obtained in the safranal value. Infact, samples with a similar safranal value can contain crocin metabolites in different concentrations and relative proportions. This new method is very useful for quality control in commercial saffron samples.