Characterization of volatile components of Iranian saffron using factorial-based response surface modeling of ultrasonic extraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis

The volatile components of Iranian saffron were extracted using ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE) technique and then were separated and detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Variables affecting the extraction procedure were screened by using a 25−1 fractional factorial design and among them; sample amount, solvent volume, solvent ratio and extraction time were optimized by applying a rotatable central composite design (CCD). The optimum values of factors were: 2.38 g sample, 29.04 mL solvent, 69.23% MeOH solvent ratio and 71.8 min for the extraction time. Forty constituents were identified for Iranian saffron by GC–MS representing 90% of the total peak area. The major components were 2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxaldehyde, namely safranal (26.29%), bicyclo[3,2,0]hept-2-ene-,4-ethoxy-,endo (5.69%), linoleic acid (4.77%), 4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde, namely HTCC (4.44%), and nonadecanol (3.32%). Some new compounds were identified for the first time in saffron. In addition, the results of this study were compared with those of Greek saffron.