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Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world; so, determining optimum conditions for its processing is crucial. The most important processing stage of saffron is drying of its stigma, which should be optimized and there are no reports on reactance-window (RW) of saffron. In this research, drying of saffron with traditional, RW, and oven driers and at three temperatures of 60, 70 and 80 °C, as well as room temperature (25 °C) were studied. Regarding process duration, RW drier with 200 μm Mylar membrane and oven drier were the best methods with average drying time of 25.28 and 22.28 min, respectively. As far as the concentration of bioactive ingredients, i.e., picrocrocin, safranal, and crocin, of saffron was concerned, RW drier with Pyrex glass was better than other driers, resulting in 112.83 $$ {E}_{257 nm}^{1\%} $$ of picrocrocin, 51.79 $$ {E}_{330 nm}^{1\%} $$ of safranal, and 274.76 $$ {E}_{440 nm}^{1\%} $$ of crocin. The panelist most favored those saffron samples dried by RW with 300 μm Mylar membrane.

Streptozocin (STZ) is a strong alkalizing agent which is capable of destroying the beta cells of the pancreatic islets. Multiple low doses (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days) prescription of STZ to mice can lead to the T cell-dependent immune response and induction of autoimmune diabetes (AD) with complete similarity to the human type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study has evaluated the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron on the clinical and immunological profile of experimental autoimmune diabetes in C57BL/6 mice. After the establishment of the AD, mice were treated orally with hydroalcoholic extract of saffron (500 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. The results with p

Crocus baalbekensis K. Addam & M. Bou Hamdan sp. Nov is nominated as a novel species in addition to its three forms from Baalbek District, northeast of Lebanon. The new species resembles Crocus aleppicus and Crocus hyemalis but varies in terms of phytogeography, phenology, and some taxonomic structures such as (corm, tunic, leaves, and shape of the perianth, segment and others). Thousands of this new species were perceived in countless villages in the northern city of Baalbek. It grows in cold semi-arid climates in stony grasslands, tundra where trees are absent. Plant material and morphological analyses were done, measurements, colors, and other details given in the description are based on both herbarium and fresh materials. Morphological data were taken from more than 10 specimens. The flower is 1-6, 30-40mm tall, white, fragrant (Fresia smell), corm oblong conical about 20-26mm x 14-20mm in diameter. Corm tunic 4-10 layers, brown, extended neck 10-20mm, great build-up of old tunics, coarse parallel fibers, not glued together, with cross-links. Leaves 4-12 (present at flowering), green, glabrous, white stripe about 1/4 of leaf keels, Spathe, 3-4, membranous white to pale yellow pipe. Outer perianth segment, 3, oblanceolate, abaxial side is colored by yellow, mottled by dark blue–violet, middle (1 to 3) stripe of dark violates veins continue to the segment, filament, 3, deep yellow, Anther, wide, arrow shape, longitudinally striped in black and yellow. Style 1, deep yellow to orange, sometimes striped by thinner black lines, divided to 3 stigmas, equal or longer than the stamen. Stigma (each one) is branched to 3-6 short strands. Voucher specimen (Holotype) is deposited in K. Addam’s Herbarium Arts, Sciences and Technology University in Lebanon, Accession No.: 22-1-17-58-001. The three forms resemble Crocus baalbekensis but differ in the color of the tepals.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the nerve cells, resulting in neurological disorders. Oxidative stress, free radicals, and neuritis have important roles in MS pathogenesis. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of crocin on inflammatory markers, oxidative damage, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in the blood of patients with MS. A total of 40 patients were divided into two groups, drug and placebo-treated groups, using random assignment. Participants of the intervention and control groups received two crocin capsules or placebo per day for 28 days, respectively. Findings revealed a significant decrease in the level of important pathogenic factors in MS, including lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 17 as well as a significant increase in the total antioxidant capacity in the serum of patients treated with crocin compared with the placebo group. Our results suggest the beneficial and therapeutic effects of crocin in MS.

Background Crocin is a carotenoid-derived natural product found in the stigma of Crocus spp., which has great potential in medicine, food and cosmetics. In recent years, microbial production of crocin has drawn increasing attention, but there were no reports of successful implementation. Escherichia coli has been engineered to produce various carotenoids, including lycopene, β-carotene and astaxanthin. Therefore, we intended to construct E. coli cell factories for crocin biosynthesis. Results In this study, a heterologous crocetin and crocin synthesis pathway was first constructed in E. coli. Firstly, the three different zeaxanthin-cleaving dioxygenases CsZCD, CsCCD2 from Crocus sativus, and CaCCD2 from Crocus ancyrensis, as well as the glycosyltransferases UGT94E5 and UGT75L6 from Gardenia jasminoides, were introduced into zeaxanthin-producing E. coli cells. The results showed that CsCCD2 catalyzed the synthesis of crocetin dialdehyde. Next, the aldehyde dehydrogenases ALD3, ALD6 and ALD9 from Crocus sativus and ALD8 from Neurospora crassa were tested for crocetin dialdehyde oxidation, and we were able to produce 4.42 mg/L crocetin using strain YL4(pCsCCD2-UGT94E5-UGT75L6,pTrc-ALD8). Glycosyltransferases from diverse sources were screened by in vitro enzyme activity assays. The results showed that crocin and its various derivatives could be obtained using the glycosyltransferases YjiC, YdhE and YojK from Bacillus subtilis, and the corresponding genes were introduced into the previously constructed crocetin-producing strain. Finally, crocin-5 was detected among the fermentation products of strain YL4(pCsCCD2-UGT94E5-UGT75L6,pTrc-ALD8,pET28a-YjiC-YdhE-YojK) using HPLC and LC–ESI–MS. Conclusions A heterologous crocin synthesis pathway was constructed in vitro, using glycosyltransferases from the Bacillus subtilis instead of the original plant glycosyltransferases, and a crocetin and crocin-5 producing E. coli cell factory was obtained. This research provides a foundation for the large-scale production of crocetin and crocin in E. coli cell factories. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12934-019-1166-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Improvement of cognitive function may be desirable for healthy individuals and clinically beneficial for those with cognitive impairment such as from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the cognitive effects of oral saffron intake, in patients with MCI/AD and/or in non-demented individuals, by following the PRISMA guidelines. We performed a literature search on MedLine, Cochrane library, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of oral saffron administration in patients with MCI/AD and/or in non-demented individuals. Five studies (enrolling 325 individuals) met our inclusion criteria. Four studies included patients with MCI/AD, and one study included cognitively normal individuals. Saffron was well-tolerated in all groups. Regarding cognitively impaired patients, scores on Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale or Mini mental state examination were significantly better when saffron was compared with placebo and did not differ significantly when saffron was compared with donepezil or memantine. Saffron effects on functional status were similar with its effects on cognition. Saffron was shown to be equally effective to common symptomatic drugs for MCI/AD and resulted in no difference in the incidence of side effects, when compared with placebo or drugs. The promising results should be seen cautiously, since the evidence was derived from studies with potentially high risk of bias (ROB). RCTs with larger sample sizes and low ROB are required to definitively assess the potential role of saffron as an MCI/AD treatment.

Plant derivatives such as carotenoids and phytosterols enrich foods have been shown to reduce plasma triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and cholesterol concentrations. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analyses study was to investigate the effects of saffron on lipid profiles, reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We performed a systematic electronic search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS to identify RCTs and screening of relevant articles references up to October 12, 2018. There were no language restrictions. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Items for Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We identified and analyzed 14 eligible studies in this meta-analysis. Our study found a significant reduction in cholesterol and TG following saffron intervention (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -6.36 mg/dl, 95% confidence interval, CI, [-10.58, -2.18] and WMD: -5.37 mg/dl, 95% CI [-10.25, -0.48], respectively). There was no significant effect on weight and LDL concentration. A meta-regression analysis showed that long-term saffron intervention can increase the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. In conclusions, our study findings indicate some benefits of saffron on cholesterol, HDL, and TG compared with placebo. However, we recommend the conduct of adequately powered, high-quality RCTs with short- and long-term follow-up, evaluating relevant clinical outcomes to allow for making definitive recommendations.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) treatment on endurance capacity, mitochondrial biogenesis, inflammation, antioxidant, and metabolic biomarkers in Wistar rats. Forty male rats were allocated equally into four groups: Saffron, Exercise and Saffron, Exercise and Placebo, and Placebo. Endurance training was accomplished on a specified rodent motor-driven treadmill. Running to fatigue test and also metabolic and molecular indices were measured after eight weeks of intervention. mtDNA copy number and NRF-1 gene expression increased significantly in the Ex + S group compared to the exercised and control group (p < 0.05). Endurance capacity time increased in the Ex + S group compared to the Ex group (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde, CPK, AST, and IL-6 decreased and antioxidant parameters including Glutathione peroxidase and Glutathione increased in the Ex + S group compared to exercised rats (p < 0.01). Saffron enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, decreased oxidative stress, inflammation, and modulated metabolic biomarkers in exercised rats. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The influence of potential nutrient factors on exercise performance has reached much attention in recent years. Athletes require an appropriate sport supplement to reimburse their fatigue and improve their resilience. Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) is a well-known spice in the food trade which is quite popular around the world by giving a desirable taste to food. In an experimental study, we showed that saffron extract treatment during endurance training could improve endurance capacity by modulating several metabolic and genomic factors. Therefore, by relying on the results of this study and the positive effects of saffron published in previous studies, saffron could be added to sport beverages and supplements to enhance an athlete's performance.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its main constituents, i.e., crocin and crocetin, are natural carotenoid compounds, which have been reported to possess a wide spectrum of properties and induce pleiotropic anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and neuroprotective effects. An increasing number of experimental, animal, and human studies have investigated the effects and mechanistic pathways of these compounds in order to assess their potential therapeutic use in ocular diseases (e.g., in age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic maculopathy). This narrative review presents the key findings of published clinical studies that examined the effects of saffron and/or its constituents in the context of ocular disease, as well as an overview of the proposed underlying mechanisms mediating these effects.

Background Asthma is a heterogeneous disease which is usually associated with chronic airway inflammation. Saffron has anti-inflammatory effects and may has beneficial effects on asthma. Hypothesis The present study was intended to survey the effects of saffron supplementation on blood pressure, lipid profiles, basophils, eosinophils and clinical symptoms in patients with allergic asthma. Study design Our study was a clinical trial. Methods Subjects (N = 80, 32 women and 48 men, 41.25 ± 9.87 years old) with mild and moderate allergic asthma were randomized into two groups: the intervention group who received two capsules of saffron (100 mg/d), and the control group who received two capsules of placebo for 8 weeks. SPSS software (version 16.0) was used for the data analysis. Results Saffron improved the frequency of clinical symptoms of the patients (i.e., frequency of the shortness of breath during the day and night time, use of salbutamol spray, waking up due to asthma symptoms and activity limitation) in comparison to the placebo (p

Crocus sativus is generally considered the source of saffron spice which is rich in apo-carotenoid compounds such as crocins, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal, which possess effective pharmacological activities. However, little is known about the exact genes involved in apo-carotenoid biosynthesis in saffron and the potential mechanism of specific accumulation in the stigma. In this study, we integrated stigmas at different developmental stages to perform in-depth transcriptome and dynamic metabolomic analyses to discover the potential key catalytic steps involved in apo-carotenoid biosynthesis in saffron. A total of 61 202 unigenes were obtained, and 28 regulators and 32 putative carotenogenic genes were captured after the co-expression network analysis. Moreover, 15 candidate genes were predicted to be closely related to safranal and crocin production, in which one aldehyde dehydrogenase (CsALDH3) was validated to oxidize crocetin dialdehyde into crocetin and a crocetin-producing yeast strain was created. In addition, a new branch pathway that catalyses the conversion of geranyl-geranyl pyrophosphate to copalol and ent-kaurene by the class II diterpene synthase CsCPS1 and three class I diterpene synthases CsEKL1/2/3 were investigated for the first time. Such gene to apo-carotenoid landscapes illuminate the synthetic charactersistics and regulators of apo-carotenoid biosynthesis, laying the foundation for a deep understanding of the biosynthesis mechanism and metabolic engineering of apo-carotenoids in plants or microbes.

Background Crocus sativus L. is an autumn-flowering geophyte belonging to the Iridaceae family, known for the medicinal and coloring uses of the spice from its dried stigmas. It is cultivated in countries with different pedoclimatic conditions. This paper reports on a two-year research project carried out in the Basilicata region of southern Italy on the question of how to obtain the highest performance from saffron. It considers corms from three different geographical origins - 'Sardinia', 'Abruzzo' and 'Kozani' at three different cultivation sites, namely Castelgrande (40° 46' N, 15° 26' E, 781 m a.s.l.), Genzano di Lucania (40° 50' N, 16° 08' E, 344 m a.s.l.), and Villa d'Agri (40° 22' N, 15° 48' E, 638 m a.s.l.). Results The highest yields were obtained in the second year by the combination of 'Genzano di L. × Sardinia' and 'Castelgrande × Abruzzo' with 28.1 and 23.9 kg ha-1 of dried stigma, respectively. Saffron quality was determined according to ISO 3632, which classifies the samples into three categories depending on the crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal content. Results highlighted that the highest values for coloring (242.1) and bitterness (97.7) were achieved in Genzano di L. during 2013. Moreover, the crocins were correlated positively with stigma yield and air mean temperature but negatively with safranal. Conclusion This study demonstrated, through principal component analysis (PCA), that the cultivation site with higher air temperature and without excessive rain during the flowering period generated the best stigma yield with high-quality traits. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Multiple studies revealed the potential application of high quality saffron byproducts as cheap sources of bioactive compounds endowed with antioxidant activity. In the present study, we analyzed the total fatty acids of the anthers, and explored the pharmacological and toxicological potential of anthers, by evaluating genotoxic and protective effects in multiple cell lines, brine shrimps and isolated rat tissues. The phytochemical analyses showed that anthers are rich in long chain fatty acids most of which are unsaturated (80.51%). Particularly, anther water extract revealed to be well tolerated by multiple cell lines, and able to modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, without exerting either genotoxic or cytotoxic effects. The same extract was also able to blunt lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA) in isolated rat tissues. On the other hand, considering the concomitant null effect on HCT116 cell migration, in wound healing experimental paradigm, our findings suggest the efficacy of water anther extract as protective agent without any direct reverting effects on lesioned tissues. Concluding, the promising results, deriving from the pharmacological and toxicological evaluations, support the valorization of saffron anthers as a strategy to optimize and develop the productive chain of Abruzzo saffron.

Saffron is a high-quality and expensive spice being widely subjected to adulteration. An UHPLC-ESI/QTOF-MS metabolomic-based approach was therefore used to investigate the discrimination potential between adulterated (added with different percentage of other parts of the flower) and authentic saffron, as well as to trace its geographical origin. Both unsupervised (hierarchical clustering) and supervised OPLS-DA multivariate statistics allowed discriminating authentic saffron from styles added of other floral components, as well as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) vs non PDO saffron samples according to their chemical fingerprints. The proposed markers were then validated through ROC curves. Anthocyanins and glycosidic flavonols were the best markers of the styles' adulteration. However, other flavonoids (mainly free flavonols and flavones), together with protocatechuic aldehyde and isomeric forms of hydroxybenzoic acid, were also validated as markers for the discrimination of PDO vs non PDO saffron samples. This work outlines the potential of untargeted metabolomics based on UHPLC-ESI/QTOF mass spectrometry for saffron authenticity and traceability.

Colchicum autumnale L. also known as the autumn crocus, contains colchicine alkaloid having antifungal properties. The tuber of this plant is rich in terms of colchicine. In this research an ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method was optimized for the extraction of colchicine from Colchicum autumnale L. bulbs before high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV). Optimization of various extraction parameters was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) to evaluate the maximum colchicine yield from Colchicum autumnale L. bulbs. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) and RSM were used to investigate the effect of three key parameters (extraction time (20–60 min), extraction temperature (40–80 °C) and ultrasound power (500–700 W) on extraction efficiency. The variance analysis suggested that the dependent response variable of yield of colchicine may be expressed by a quadratic polynomial model. The optimal theoretical extraction conditions were found to be an ultrasonication power of 602.4 W, an extraction time of 42 min and a temperature of 64 °C. Under these conditions, the optimum foreseen yield was 0.237%. The experimental colchicine yield obtained by following the optimized conditions was found to be 0.238%. These values are very well compatible with each other. Keywords: Colchicine, Colchicum autumnale, Response surface methodology, Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), HPLC

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is an autumnal herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the Iridaceae family. It is considered the most expensive spice in the world and a valuable medicinal herb. The origin of saffron is unclear. The probable center of origin of the plant is Asia Minor (Greece) and/or the Middle East (Iran). From the historical point of view, use of saffron for medical treatment, perfume, food and dye dates back 4000 years. Saffron stigmas contain three important secondary metabolites, crocin, picrocrocin and safranal that are responsible for the saffron color, taste and aroma, respectively. Saffron’s adaptation to hot and dry climates has led to widespread cultivation in arid regions, notably Iran where it is a primary income source for many people. The triploid genome of saffron causes the production of abnormal pollen triggering self-sterility. With respect to the clonal nature of saffron, it is believed that there is only one cultivar worldwide. Lack of genetic variation restricts the use of traditional plant breeding based on selection. Probable wild relatives could be an excellent source of genes to alter saffron traits by cross-pollination. In addition, an induced mutation approach with various mutagen agent treatments is an alternative to produce genetic variations. Recent advances in sequencing methods and next-generation sequencing (NGS), provide efficient approaches such as transcriptome sequencing along with proteome and metabolome information, which would help to exploit functional genomics toward genetic engineering of the economic traits of saffron.

ObjectivesAs clinical practice guidelines vary widely in their search strategies and recommendations of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for depression, this overview aimed at systematically summarising the level 1 evidence on CAM for patients with a clinical diagnosis of depression.MethodsPubMed, PsycInfo and Central were searched for meta-analyses of randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) until 30 June 2018. Outcomes included depression severity, response, remission, relapse and adverse events. The quality of evidence was assessed according to Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) considering the methodological quality of the RCTs and meta-analyses, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision of the evidence and the potential risk of publication bias.ResultsThe literature search revealed 26 meta-analyses conducted between 2002 and 2018 on 1–49 RCTs in major, minor and seasonal depression. In patients with mild to moderate major depression, moderate quality evidence suggested the efficacy of St. John’s wort towards placebo and its comparative effectiveness towards standard antidepressants for the treatment for depression severity and response rates, while St. John’s wort caused significant less adverse events. In patients with recurrent major depression, moderate quality evidence showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was superior to standard antidepressant drug treatment for the prevention of depression relapse. Other CAM evidence was considered as having low or very low quality.ConclusionsThe effects of all but two CAM treatments found in studies on clinical depressed patients based on low to very low quality of evidence. The evidence has to be downgraded mostly due to avoidable methodological flaws of both the original RCTs and meta-analyses not following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Further research is needed.

Stress-responsive dihydroxy flavonoids exhibit capability to inhibit the accretion of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The formation of these dihydroxy flavonols is catalyzed by flavonoid hydroxylases which are among the rate limiting enzymes of flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Although flavonoid hydroxylases have been identified in several plant species but their role in abiotic stress is not explicitly documented. In the present study we report identification of all the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway genes of Crocus sativus and their expression profiling. We also report functional characterization of flavonoid 3' hydroxylase (CsF3'H) and attempt to explore its physiological role in vitro and in planta. The results indicated that CsF3'H is 1608 bp long encoding 535 amino acids. Docking and enzyme kinetic studies revealed that CsF3'H catalyzes hydroxylation of naringenin and dihydrokaempferol to eriodictoyl and dihydroquercetin respectively, but exhibits higher affinity for naringenin. Further, CsF3'H showed comparatively higher expression in floral tissues particularly stigma and its expression was significantly enhanced in response to UV-B, dehydration and salinity stress indicative of its role in stress. The expression of CsF3'H was associated with concomitant accumulation of eriodictoyl and dihydroquercetin. Transient overexpression of CsF3'H in Nicotiana benthamiana leads to the accumulation of substantial amounts of eriodictoyl and dihydroquercetin. Further, it was observed that transient expression of CsF3'H conferred tolerance to UV-B and dehydration stress as was evident from higher chlorophyll and soluble sugar and lower MDA contents. Taken together, these results suggest that CsF3'H confers tolerance to UV-B and dehydration in planta through synthesis of dihydroflavonols.

Sexually dichromatic birds often show delayed plumage maturation, but second-year (SY) males may or may not be distinguishable from females. In competitive contexts, SY males receive a reduced amount of adult males’ aggression, either by mimicking females or through signaling their sex and inexperience as subordinate males. To the human eye, reproductive dull SY male Saffron Finches are indistinguishable from females, whereas after second-year (ASY) males are golden yellow. Our aim is to establish whether SY males are sexually dichromatic with females to the eye of conspecifics. We describe plumage variation in females, SY and ASY males and, in particular, analyze assortative mating by color by comparing a previously disregarded yellow feather patch shared by the three groups. We measured plumage reflectance of the forehead, breast, belly, and axillaries, and used a two-step avian visual model analysis to estimate the ability of Saffron Finches to distinguish between SY males and females. We find that those groups are indistinguishable to conspecifics by color. Furthermore, we find non-significant evidence of assortative mating directly related to the coloration of comparable feather patches between females and each type of male, though body condition of SY males is associated to that of their mates. Our results are compatible with both the female-mimicry and the status signaling hypotheses of evolution and maintenance of delayed plumage maturation. However, the singing behavior of males reveals their presence within the breeding site; the combined effect of song and dull coloration suggest that SY males are honestly revealing their sex and status to conspecifics. Fil: Benitez Saldivar, Maria Juliana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Massoni, Viviana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Throughout the centuries, people have used the dried stigma of Crocus sativus that is known as "saffron" for medicinal and nutritional purposes [1]. Studies have shown that not only is saffron well worth the money, but also, its bioactive compounds (including crocin, precrocin, and safranal that are responsible for color, taste and fragrance respectively) play a crucial role in the central nervous system to positively affect conditions such as anxiety and depression [2-5]. Saffron compounds are also neuroprotective and anxiolytic and can benefit learning and memory impairments [6].

Background: Nanotechnology application has widespread use in many products. Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are widely used in industrial applications. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the ethanolic saffron extract (ESE) as a natural antioxidant on the hepatotoxicity induced by CuNPs in male mice. Methods: The characterization of CuNPs was determined using ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, particle size analysis, zeta potential, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and electron microscope. The effect of saffron on the hepatotoxicity induced by CuNPs in mice was evaluated by evaluating the survival rate of the mice, oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, DNA evaluation, as well as its effect on the histology and transmission electron microscope of the liver. Results: The results revealed that all parameters were affected in a dose-dependent manner by CuNPs. These effects have been improved when the treatment of CuNPs is combined with ethanolic saffron extract. Conclusions: We can conclude that saffron and its bioactive crocin portion can prevent CuNP-induced oxidative liver damage. This substance should be useful as a new pharmacological tool for oxidative stress prevention.

In this work, the potential of near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy along with chemometrics was investigated for authentication and adulteration detection of Iranian saffron samples. First, authentication of one-hundred saffron samples was examined by principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed the NIR spectroscopy can better predict the origin of samples than the MIR. Next, partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was developed to detect four common plant-derived adulterants (i.e., saffron style, calendula, safflower, and rubia). In all cases, PLS-DA classification figures of merit in terms of sensitivity, specificity, error rate and accuracy were satisfactory for both NIR and MIR datasets. The built models were then successfully validated using test set and also commercial samples. Finally, partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to estimate the amount of adulteration. In this case, only NIR showed a good performance with regression coefficients (R2) in range of 0.95-0.99.

In the present work, a new approach based on external parameter orthogonalization combined with support vector machine (EPO-SVM) is proposed for processing of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform mid-infrared (ATR-FT-MIR) spectra with the goal of solving authentication problem in saffron, the most expensive spice in the world. First, one-hundred authentic saffron samples are clustered by principal component analysis (PCA) with EPO as the best preprocessing strategy. Then, EPO-SVM is used for the detection of four commonly used plant-derived adulterants (i.e. safflower, calendula, rubia, and style) in binary mixtures (saffron and each of plant adulterants) and its performance is compared with other common classification methods. The obtained results showed that the EPO-SVM approach has a much better classification accuracy (>95%) than other methods (accuracy

[EN] Species of the genus Crocus are found over a wide range of climatic areas. In natural habitats, these geophytes diverge in the flowering strategies. This variability was assessed by analyzing the flowering traits of the Spanish collection of wild crocuses, preserved in the Bank of Plant Germplasm of Cuenca. Plants of the seven Spanish species were analyzed both in their natural environments (58 native populations) and in common garden experiments (112 accessions). Differences among species observed in the native habitats were maintained under uniform environmental conditions, suggesting a genetic basis for flowering mechanisms. Two eco-morphological types, autumn- and spring-flowering species, share similar patterns of floral induction and differentiation period in summer. The optimal temperature for this process was 23 degrees C for both types. Unlike Irano-Turanian crocuses, spring-flowering Spanish species do not require low winter temperatures for flower elongation. Hysteranthous crocuses flower in autumn prior to leaf elongation. We conclude that the variability in flowering traits in crocuses is related to the genetic and environmental regulation of flower primordia differentiation and elongation prior to emergence above the soil surface. The elucidation of the physiological differences between eco-morphological types of crocuses: synanthous with cold requirements and synanthous and hysteranthous without cold requirements, unlocks a new approach to the flowering evolution of geophytes in Mediterranean regions. Crocus species can serve both as a new model in the study of the molecular basis of hysteranthy and for the purposes of developing the molecular markers for desirable flowering traits., The collection activities of plant materials included in this study were mainly supported by successive Spanish research projects funded by the "Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria" [INIA RF2004-00032-C03, INIA RF2008-00012-C03, INIA RF2011-00005-C03], co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF-FEDER), and also by means of the European Action 018 Agri Gen Res (CrocusBank). The activities of PhD. TPF were supported by a pre-doctoral grant from the "Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria" within the framework of the project INIA RF2011-0005-C03-01. The preservation of these materials in the facilities of the Bank of Plant Germplasm of Cuenca (CIAF Albaladejito -IRIAF), as part of the Spanish Germplasm Collection of Saffron and other Crocus, is currently supported by the Spanish National Program for Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Agriculture and Food (action INIA RFP2014-00012). Some activities have been also funded by the "Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades de Espana" [AGL2016-77078-R].

Retinal diseases can be induced by a variety of factors, including gene mutations, environmental stresses and dysmetabolic processes. The result is a progressive deterioration of visual function, which sometimes leads to blindness. Many treatments are under investigation, though results are still mostly unsatisfactory and restricted to specific pathologies, particularly in the case of gene therapy. The majority of treatments have been tested in animal models, but very few have progressed to human clinical trials. A relevant approach is to study the relation between the type of treatments and the degenerative characteristics of the animal model to better understand the effectiveness of each therapy. Here we compare the results obtained from different animal models treated with natural compounds (saffron and naringenin) to anticipate the potentiality of a single treatment in different pathologies.

The Horizon2020 European project CORTEX aims at developing an innovative core monitoring technique that allows detecting anomalies in nuclear reactors, such as excessive vibrations of core internals, flow blockage, or coolant inlet perturbations. The technique will be mainly based on using the fluctuations in neutron flux recorded by in-core and ex-core instrumentation, from which the anomalies will be differentiated depending on their type, location and characteristics. The project will result in a deepened understanding of the physical processes involved, allowing utilities to detect operational problems at a very early stage. In this framework, neutron noise computational methods and models are developed. In parallel, mechanical noise experimental campaigns are carried out in two zero-power reactors: AKR-2 and CROCUS. The aim is to produce high quality neutron noise-specific experimental data for the validation of the models. In CROCUS, the COLIBRI experimental program was developed to investigate experimentally the radiation noise induced by fuel rods vibrations. In this way, the 2018 first CORTEX campaign in CROCUS consisted in experiments with a perturbation induced by a fuel rods oscillator. Eighteen fuel rods located at the periphery of the core fuel lattice were oscillated between ±0.5 mm and ±2.0 mm around their central position at a frequency ranging from 0.1 Hz to 2 Hz. Signals from 11 neutron detectors which were set at positions in-core and ex-core in the water reflector, were recorded. The present article documents the results in noise level of the experimental campaign. Neutron noise levels are compared for several oscillation frequencies and amplitudes, and at the various detector locations concluding to the observation of a spatial dependency of the noise in amplitude.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is an important plant in medicine. The Kashmir Valley (J&K, India) is one of the world's largest and finest saffron producing regions. However, over the past decade, there has been a strong declining trend in saffron production in this area. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) are free living soil bacteria that have ability to colonize the surfaces of the roots and ability to boost plant growth and development either directly or indirectly. Using the efficient PGPR as a bio-inoculant is another sustainable agricultural practice to improve soil health, grain yield quality, and biodiversity conservation. In the present study, a total of 13 bacterial strains were isolated from rhizospheric soil of saffron during the flowering stage of the tubers and were evaluated for various plant growth promoting characteristics under in vitro conditions such as the solubilization of phosphate, production of indole acetic acid, siderophore, hydrocyanic acid, and ammonia production and antagonism by dual culture test against Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum. All the isolates were further tested for the production of hydrolytic enzymes such as protease, lipase, amylase, cellulase, and chitinase. The maximum proportions of bacterial isolates were gram-negative bacilli. About 77% of the bacterial isolates showed IAA production, 46% exhibited phosphate solubilization, 46% siderophore, 61% HCN, 100% ammonia production, 69% isolates showed protease activity, 62% lipase, 46% amylase, 85% cellulase, and 39% showed chitinase activity. Three isolates viz., AIS-3, AIS-8 and AIS-10 were found to have the most plant growth properties and effectively control the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum. The bacterial isolates were identified as Brevibacterium frigoritolerans (AIS-3), Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. Phenolicus (AIS-8) and Bacillus aryabhattai (AIS-10) respectively by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Therefore, these isolated rhizobacterial strains could be a promising source of plant growth stimulants to increase cormlets growth and increase saffron production.