Tag: saffron

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Biochemistry

Crocus chemistry: Saffron, colours, and poisonous imposters

Infographic on the chemistry of crocuses. Crocus stigmas are yellow due to carotenoid pigments and related compounds. One of these compounds, crocin, causes the deep red colour of the stigma of Crocus sativus, from which the spice saffron is produced. The orange and yellow petals of crocuses also owe their colours to carotenoids. Purples are due to anthocyanin pigments, commonly glucosides of delphinidin and petunidin. Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron crocus, is also sometimes referred to as the autumn crocus due to when it flowers. However, "autumn crocus" is also used as a name for species in the Colchicum genus. All plants in the Colchicum genus contain the toxic alkaloid colchicine. Ingesting colchicine can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, colchicine is used as a treatment for gout.

Did you know that saffron is obtained from a type of crocus? This is a fact that had somehow escaped me, and which I only discovered when wondering why saffron contains a compound called ‘crocin’. Turns out that, yes, there is a connection!