Physicochemical and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies on Petals of Crocus sativus 'Cashmerianus'

Crocus sativus 'Cashmerianus' is a plant cultivated in various parts of the world. The present communication attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the petals of most expensive Crocus species found in Kashmir is Crocus sativus 'Cashmerianus' (Iridaceae). These observations would be of immense value in the botanical identification and standardization of the drug in crude form and would help to distinguish the drug from its other species. The percentage of total ash value, acid insoluble ash value, water soluble ash value and sulphated ash value were found as 18.36, 3.48 11.36 and 9.01% respectively. Fluorescence characters of different extracts with various reagents were noted under UV (254 nm and 365 nm) and under normal ordinary light. Loss of weight on drying was found as 6.68% w/w. The percent yield of successive extract of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts were found as 6.18%, 7.79%, 6.28%, 30.63%, and 35.16% w/w respectively. The preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrate glycosides, tannins, terpeniods, phenol, steroids and saponins for different petal extracts of Crocus sativus 'Cashmerianus'. These studies provide referential information for correct identification and standardization of this plant material.