Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive Compounds.

Saffron petals represent floral biomass generally wasted due to rapid deterioration. Previous characterization studies have revealed the presence of bioactive compounds in petals, such as flavonols and anthocyanins. Petal stabilization is a challenge for the efficient isolation of these compounds.

Distribution of Main Bioactive Compounds from Saffron Species as a Function of Infusion Temperature and Time in an Oil/Water System.

Most research on saffron has focused on its composition and beneficial effects, while the culinary perspective to enhance its gastronomic potential remains unexplored. This study aims to define the transfer of the main compounds responsible for color, flavor, and aromatic properties, evaluating three critical variables: temperature (60 °C, 80 °C and 100 °C), infusion time (ranging from 10 to 30 min), and the composition of the medium (water, oil, and water/oil). Samples were analyzed using the LC-QTOF MS/MS and ISO 3632-1:2011 methods.

Comparison of accelerated methods for the extraction of phenolic compounds from different vine-shoot cultivars.

Most research on the extraction of high-priced compounds from vineyard/wine byproducts has traditionally been focused on grape seeds and skins as raw materials. Vine-shoots can represent an additional source to those materials, the characteristics of which could depend on the cultivar. A comparative study of hydroalcoholic extracts from 18 different vineyard cultivars obtained by superheated liquid extraction (SHLE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (USAE) is here presented.

Extraction of polyphenols from vine shoots of Vitis vinifera by superheated ethanol-water mixtures.

A study of the nonvolatile fraction of extracts from vine shoots obtained by superheated ethanol-water mixtures is presented. The influence of the temperature, extraction time, and percentage of ethanol on extraction was investigated by a multivariate experimental design to maximize the yield of total phenolic compounds, measured by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The best values found for these variables were 80% (v/v) ethanol, 240 degrees C, and 60 min.