EXTRACTION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF SAFFRON (CROCUS SATIVUS L.) BY ULTRASOUND ASSISTED EXTRACTION (UAE) AND BY RAPID SOLID-LIQUID DYNAMIC EXTRACTION (RSLDE)

Crocus sativus L.(Iridaceae), commonly known as saffron is not only used as a spice in food, but also for its medicinal properties. For these reasons, in this study the comparison between a conventional extraction technique using ultrasounds (UAE) and a cyclically pressurized solid-liquid extraction with the Naviglio extractor (NE) or Rapid Solid- Liquid Dynamic Extraction (RSLDE) was performed, in order to obtain qualitative and quantitative data related to bioactive compounds of saffron. The extracts obtained were analyzed for their antioxidant activity using ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays, for their total polyphenol content (Folin-Ciocalteu) and for the metabolic profile using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS).The efficiency of extraction of active principles obtained with the Naviglio extractor was about four times higher than that resulting from the sonication extraction. The results obtained showed that the extracts of the Naviglio extractor had significant advantages in terms of extraction efficiency and quality of extract; moreover savings of time and therefore represented an important data in anticipation of the use of such extracts for the preparation of functional food and also phytodrugs.