Recovery of crocins from saffron stigmas (Crocus sativus) in aqueous two-phase systems

► Partition behavior of crocins on aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) was characterized. ► Polymer-polymer, polymer-salt, ionic-liquid-salt and alcohol-salt ATPS were used. ► The effect of system parameters on the partition behavior was studied. ► Alcohol-salt ATPS are an attractive technology for the recovery of crocins. ► A recovery yield higher than 75% was achieved under optimized ATPS parameters.