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De Angelis E, Al-Ayoubi O, Pilolli R, Monaci L, Bejjani A. Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Unsupervised Methods for Advanced Saffron Authenticity Screening. Foods 2024; 13:2033. [PMID: 38998539 PMCID: PMC11241374 DOI: 10.3390/foods13132033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Saffron, renowned for its aroma and flavor, is susceptible to adulteration due to its high value and demand. Current detection methods, including ISO standards, often fail to identify specific adulterants such as safflower or turmeric up to 20% (w/w). Therefore, the quest continues for robust screening methods using advanced techniques to tackle this persistent challenge of safeguarding saffron quality and authenticity. Advanced techniques such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), with its molecular specificity and high sensitivity, offer promising solutions. Samples of pure saffron and saffron adulterated with safflower and turmeric at three inclusion levels (5%, 10%, and 20%) were analyzed without prior treatment. Spectral analysis revealed distinct signatures for pure saffron, safflower, and turmeric. Through principal component analysis (PCA), TOF-SIMS effectively discriminated between pure saffron and saffron adulterated with turmeric and safflower at different inclusion levels. The variation between the groups is attributed to the characteristic peaks of safflower and the amino group peaks and mineral peaks of saffron. Additionally, a study was conducted to demonstrate that semi-quantification of the level of safflower inclusion can be achieved from the normalized values of its characteristic peaks in the saffron matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta De Angelis
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Amendola 126/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Omar Al-Ayoubi
- Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission, National Council for Scientific Research, Riad El Solh, Beirut 107 2260, Lebanon
| | - Rosa Pilolli
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Amendola 126/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Linda Monaci
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Amendola 126/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Alice Bejjani
- Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission, National Council for Scientific Research, Riad El Solh, Beirut 107 2260, Lebanon
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Shakeri R, Savari B, Sheikholeslami MN, Radjabian T, Khorshidi J, Safavi M. Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis of Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus (Herb.) B. Mathew Stigmas and Their Anticarcinogenic Effect on Breast Cancer Cells. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:3861783. [PMID: 36016682 PMCID: PMC9398734 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3861783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Safranal, crocin, crocetin, and picrocrocin are major known compounds in the stigma extract of Crocus sativus with various medicinal properties. Crocus cancellatus is another Crocus species that grows extensively in Iran's various regions, such as the Kurdistan province. The predominant metabolites and biological properties of C. cancellatus have not yet been investigated. The ingredients of the stigma ethanol extract of C. cancellatus were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The ROIMCR approach was performed to analyze the LC-MS full scan data sets. This method searches the MS regions of interest (ROI) data in the m/z domain and analyses the results using the multivariate curve-resolution alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) chemometrics technique for simultaneous resolution of two extracts. Also, the antiproliferative properties of C. cancellatus against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cells were examined by MTT, dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide test, Annexin V-FITC/PI, and zymography. The GC-MS and LC-MS untargeted metabolomics data analysis of the extract indicated the presence of cytotoxic agents including safranal, crocin, picrocrocin, and crocetin in the stigma ethanol extract of C. cancellatus. Biological tests showed that the viability of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cells is decreased following C. cancellatus treatment in a time- and dose-dependent way in both monolayer and 3D cell cultures. The MCF-7 cell spheroids had greater resistance to the cytotoxic activity of the extract in 3D cell culture than the MDA-MB-231 cell spheroids. The morphological changes of the cells treated with C. cancellatus stigmas extract were indicative of apoptosis. Zymography analysis revealed a similar trend of matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) activity in the treated cells with C. cancellatus extract in comparison with doxorubicin treatment as a positive control. The findings of this research indicate that the ethanolic extract of C. cancellatus stigmas was a good source of bioactive metabolites with anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheleh Shakeri
- Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Bahram Savari
- Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mahsa N. Sheikholeslami
- Center of Excellence in Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614418, Iran
| | | | - Jalal Khorshidi
- Department of Horticultural Science and Engineering, Research Center of Medicinal Plants Breeding and Development, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Maliheh Safavi
- Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran 13353-5111, Iran
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Jarukas L, Vitkevicius K, Mykhailenko O, Bezruk I, Georgiyants V, Ivanauskas L. Effective Isolation of Picrocrocin and Crocins from Saffron: From HPTLC to Working Standard Obtaining. Molecules 2022; 27:4286. [PMID: 35807531 PMCID: PMC9267943 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Saffron is widely cultivated and used as a spice. Recently published data on the chemical composition and pharmacological potential of saffron determine its use in pharmacy and medicine. The proposed high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method allows good separation of 11 analytes. The saffron quality (Iran, Ukraine, Spain, Morocco samples) assessment was based on the European Pharmacopoeia monograph and ISO 3632. The HPTLC method for the safranal, crocin, and picrocrocin quantification was proposed and validated. The crocins content in Ukrainian saffron was from 17.80% to 33.25%. Based on qualitative and quantitative assessment results, the saffron sample from Zaporizhzhia (Ukraine) had the highest compounds content and was chosen to obtain the working standards of picrocrocin and crocins (trans-4GG, trans-2G, trans-3Gg) by preparative chromatography. The compounds were isolated from lyophilized extract of saffron using a Symmetry Prep C18 column (300 × 19 mm × 7 µm), and identified by spectroscopic techniques (HPLC-DAD, UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The purity of crocins and picrocrocin was more than 97%. A novel method proposed to obtain working standards is simple and reproducible for the routine analysis of saffron quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurynas Jarukas
- Department of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.J.); (K.V.)
| | - Konradas Vitkevicius
- Department of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.J.); (K.V.)
| | - Olha Mykhailenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy, Valentynivska, Str. 4, 461168 Kharkiv, Ukraine; (I.B.); (V.G.)
| | - Ivan Bezruk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy, Valentynivska, Str. 4, 461168 Kharkiv, Ukraine; (I.B.); (V.G.)
| | - Victoriya Georgiyants
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy, Valentynivska, Str. 4, 461168 Kharkiv, Ukraine; (I.B.); (V.G.)
| | - Liudas Ivanauskas
- Department of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.J.); (K.V.)
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Gikas E, Koulakiotis NS, Tsarbopoulos A. Phytochemical Differentiation of Saffron ( Crocus sativus L.) by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Metabolomic Studies. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26082180. [PMID: 33920081 PMCID: PMC8069427 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The metabolite profiling of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) from several countries was measured by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HR MS). Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to distinguish among the several samples of C. sativus L. from Greece, Italy, Morocco, Iran, India, Afghanistan and Kashmir. The results of this study showed that the phytochemical content in the samples of C. sativus L. were obviously diverse in the different countries of origin. The metabolomics approach was deemed to be the most suitable in order to evaluate the enormous array of putative metabolites among the saffron samples studied, and was able to provide a comparative phytochemical screening of these samples. Several markers have been identified that aided the differentiation of a group from its counterparts. This can be important for the selection of the appropriate saffron sample, in view of its health-promoting effect which occurs through the modulation of various biological and physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Gikas
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Anthony Tsarbopoulos
- GAIA Research Center, Bioanalytical Department, The Goulandris Natural History Museum, 14562 Kifissia, Greece;
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-7462-702
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Saffron: Chemical Composition and Neuroprotective Activity. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25235618. [PMID: 33260389 PMCID: PMC7731018 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crocus sativus L. belongs to the Iridaceae family and it is commonly known as saffron. The different cultures together with the geoclimatic characteristics of the territory determine a different chemical composition that characterizes the final product. This is why a complete knowledge of this product is fundamental, from which more than 150 chemical compounds have been extracted from, but only about one third of them have been identified. The chemical composition of saffron has been studied in relation to its efficacy in coping with neurodegenerative retinal diseases. Accordingly, experimental results provide evidence of a strict correlation between chemical composition and neuroprotective capacity. We found that saffron's ability to cope with retinal neurodegeneration is related to: (1) the presence of specific crocins and (2) the contribution of other saffron components. We summarize previous evidence and provide original data showing that results obtained both "in vivo" and "in vitro" lead to the same conclusion.
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Crocus-derived compounds alter the aggregation pathway of Alzheimer's Disease: associated beta amyloid protein. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18150. [PMID: 33097779 PMCID: PMC7585429 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74770-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products have played a dominant role in the discovery of lead compounds for the development of drugs aimed at the treatment of human diseases. This electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (ESI-IMS-MS)-based study demonstrates that dietary antioxidants, isolated components from the stigmas of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) may be effective in inhibiting Aβ fibrillogenesis, a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This study reveals a substantial alteration in the monomer/oligomer distribution of Aβ1-40, concomitant with re-direction of fibril formation, induced by the natural product interaction. These alterations on the Aβ1-40 aggregation pathway are most prominent for trans-crocin-4 (TC4). Use of ESI-IMS-MS, electron microscopy alongside Thioflavin-T kinetics, and the interpretation of 3-dimensional Driftscope plots indicate a correlation of these monomer/oligomer distribution changes with alterations to Aβ1-40 amyloid formation. The latter could prove instrumental in the development of novel aggregation inhibitors for the prevention, or treatment of AD.
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Aiello D, Siciliano C, Mazzotti F, Di Donna L, Athanassopoulos CM, Napoli A. A rapid MALDI MS/MS based method for assessing saffron (Crocus sativus L.) adulteration. Food Chem 2020; 307:125527. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Pittenauer E, Rados E, Tsarbopoulos A, Allmaier G. In-depth analysis of crocetin ester glycosides from dried/processed stigmas of Crocus sativus L. by HPLC-ESI-MS n (n = 2, 3). PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS : PCA 2019; 30:346-356. [PMID: 30644146 DOI: 10.1002/pca.2817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Saffron stigmas from Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae) are used as a drug in folk medicine, as a food additive and as a dying agent for at least 3500 years. Despite this long-term use the chemical composition of saffron seems still to be not fully known. OBJECTIVE An analytical strategy for detailed investigations of aqueous saffron extract is developed based on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation (HPLC-ESI) multistage mass spectrometry (MSn ) for crocins. METHODS Commercially available stigmas are analysed by reverse-phase HPLC in combination with ESI/three-dimensional (3D)-ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) and MSn (n = 2 and 3). Sodium chloride is added to the analyte solution ready for injection to promote abundant [M + Na]+ adduct ions of crocins, being ideal precursor ions for low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID)-MS2/3 . RESULTS This strategy allows the detailed structural elucidation of known as well as previously unknown crocin derivatives (molecular mass of the aglycon, oligosaccharide chain length and linkage determination). The two isomeric trisaccharide substituents neapolitanose and gentiotriose are distinguished based on linkage-specific cross-ring cleavage for the first time. Furthermore, crocins containing up to six hexose units are also observed. Five novel crocin ester glycosides shifted by a mass difference of -40 Da indicate the presence of the here newly described C17 -aglycon, termed norcrocetin (crocetin = C20 ). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate the action of at least two different carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCD2 and tentatively CCD4) during biosynthesis of this new bis-apocarotenoid aglycon (norcrocetin) and the existence of even higher glycosylated crocin derivatives at trace level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst Pittenauer
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology), Vienna, Austria
| | - Edita Rados
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology), Vienna, Austria
| | - Anthony Tsarbopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Bioanalytical Department, GAIA Research Centre, The Goulandris Natural History Museum, Kifissia, Greece
| | - Günter Allmaier
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology), Vienna, Austria
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Chalatsa I, Arvanitis DA, Koulakiotis NS, Giagini A, Skaltsounis AL, Papadopoulou-Daifoti Z, Tsarbopoulos A, Sanoudou D. The Crocus sativus Compounds trans-Crocin 4 and trans-Crocetin Modulate the Amyloidogenic Pathway and Tau Misprocessing in Alzheimer Disease Neuronal Cell Culture Models. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:249. [PMID: 30971876 PMCID: PMC6443833 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Crocus sativus L. natural compounds have been extensively used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Recent research evidence is now emerging in support of its therapeutic potential for different pathologies including neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, the C. sativus L. natural compounds trans-crocin 4 and trans-crocetin were selected for in depth molecular characterization of their potentially protective effects against Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), utilizing two AD neuronal cell culture models (SH-SY5Y overexpressing APP and PC12 expressing hyperphosphorylated tau). Biologically relevant concentrations, ranging from 0.1 μM to 1 mM, applied for 24 h or 72 h, were well tolerated by differentiated wild type SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells. When tested on neuronally differentiated SH-SY5Y-APP both trans-crocin 4 and trans-crocetin had significant effects against amyloidogenic pathways. Trans-crocin 4 significantly decreased of β-secretase, a key enzyme of the amyloidogenic pathway, and APP-C99, while it decreased γ-secretases that generate toxic beta-amyloid peptides. Similarly, trans-crocetin treatment led to a reduction in β- and γ-secretases, as well as to accumulation of cellular AβPP. When tested on the neuronally differentiated PC12-htau cells, both compounds proved effective in suppressing the active forms of GSK3β and ERK1/2 kinases, as well as significantly reducing total tau and tau phosphorylation. Collectively, our data demonstrate a potent effect of trans-crocin 4 and trans-crocetin in suppressing key molecular pathways of AD pathogenesis, rendering them a promising tool in the prevention and potentially the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Chalatsa
- Clinical Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Unit, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios A Arvanitis
- Molecular Biology Division, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Athina Giagini
- Clinical Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Unit, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios Leandros Skaltsounis
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Zeta Papadopoulou-Daifoti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anthony Tsarbopoulos
- GAIA Research Center, Bioanalytical Department, The Goulandris Natural History Museum, Athens, Greece.,Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Despina Sanoudou
- Clinical Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Unit, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Molecular Biology Division, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Center for New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Aiello D, Siciliano C, Mazzotti F, Di Donna L, Athanassopoulos CM, Napoli A. Molecular species fingerprinting and quantitative analysis of saffron ( Crocus sativus L.) for quality control by MALDI mass spectrometry. RSC Adv 2018; 8:36104-36113. [PMID: 35558493 PMCID: PMC9088749 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra07484d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein we describe a rapid, simple, and reliable method for the quantitative analysis and molecular species fingerprinting of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) by direct MS and MS/MS analysis. Experimentally, powdered saffron was subjected to a brief treatment with a 0.3% TFA water/acetonitrile solution, and the resulting mixture was directly placed on the MALDI plate for analysis. This approach allowed the detection of the commonly observed crocins C-1-C-6 and flavonols, together with the identification of the unknown highly glycosylated crocins C-7, C-8 and C-9, and carotenoid-derived metabolites. The strategy endorsed the simultaneous detection and characterization of saffron and adulterant markers using crude extracts of the adulterant itself and synthetic sets of adulterated authentic saffron samples. The implementation of the strategy was to measure the amount of an unknown adulterant from the crude extract using curcumin as a non-isotopic isobaric internal standard. The relationship between the saffron and curcumin molar ratios were established with a correlation coefficient of 0.9942. The ANOVA regression model was significant, F(1, 72) = 13 595.82, p < 0.001, y = (0.0116 ± 0.0001)x + (-0.1214 ± 0.0086). No matrix effects were observed and good results were obtained with respect to instrumental repeatability (*RSD% < 2%) and LOD (1.1%). The analysis of commercial samples of saffron using the proposed approach showed the suitability of the method for routine analysis (minimal sample preparation and very short measuring time per sample).
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Aiello
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria Italy
| | - Carlo Siciliano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria Italy
| | - Fabio Mazzotti
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria Italy
| | - Leonardo Di Donna
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria Italy
| | | | - Anna Napoli
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria Italy
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Karkoula E, Angelis A, Koulakiotis NS, Gikas E, Halabalaki M, Tsarbopoulos A, Skaltsounis AL. Rapid isolation and characterization of crocins, picrocrocin, and crocetin from saffron using centrifugal partition chromatography and LC-MS. J Sep Sci 2018; 41:4105-4114. [PMID: 30232839 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201800516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrates a simple method for one-step isolation of the main secondary metabolites of a hydroalcoholic extract of Crocus sativus stigmas (saffron) using step-gradient centrifugal partition chromatography. The analysis was performed in dual and elution-extrusion mode, using five biphasic systems of the solvents heptane/ethyl acetate/butanol/ethanol/water in ratios of 4:10:0:4:10, 1:13:0:4:10, 1:12:1:4:10, 1:10:3:4:10, and 1:7:6:4:10. Five major crocins, picrocrocin, and crocetin were directly isolated in one step. Scaling up to preparative level, allowed the recovery of significantly high quantities of pure compounds, especially trans-crocin-4, saffron's principal crocin. Comparing dual-mode and elution-extrusion, in dual-mode, the trans-crocin-4 containing fractions were co-eluted with a high amount of free β-d-glucose. In contrast, absence of free β-d-glucose was observed in the corresponding trans-crocin-4 fractions obtained by the second method denoting its superiority against dual-mode. Initiating analysis with the 4th solvent-system afforded selective isolation of trans-crocin-4, with reduction in experimental time and solvent consumption. Structure elucidation was performed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. The proposed methodology comprises an integrated approach for the purification and characterization of biologically active saffron components in a fast, selective, and environmentally friendly manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Karkoula
- Medical School, Department of Pharmacology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Bioanalytical Department, GAIA Research Center, The Goulandris Natural History Museum, Kifissia, Greece
| | - Apostolis Angelis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Evangelos Gikas
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Halabalaki
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anthony Tsarbopoulos
- Medical School, Department of Pharmacology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Bioanalytical Department, GAIA Research Center, The Goulandris Natural History Museum, Kifissia, Greece
| | - Alexios-Leandros Skaltsounis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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D'Archivio AA, Di Donato F, Foschi M, Maggi MA, Ruggieri F. UHPLC Analysis of Saffron ( Crocus sativus L.): Optimization of Separation Using Chemometrics and Detection of Minor Crocetin Esters. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23081851. [PMID: 30044436 PMCID: PMC6222919 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23081851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with diode array detection (DAD) was applied to improve separation and detection of mono- and bis-glucosyl esters of crocetin (crocins), the main red-colored constituents of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), and other polar components. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise the chromatographic resolution on the Kinetex C18 (Phenomenex) column taking into account of the combined effect of the column temperature, the eluent flow rate and the slope of a linear eluent concentration gradient. A three-level full-factorial design of experiments was adopted to identify suitable combinations of the above factors. The influence of the separation conditions on the resolutions of 22 adjacent peaks was simultaneously modelled by a multi-layer artificial neural network (ANN) in which a bit string representation was used to identify the target analytes. The chromatogram collected under the optimal separation conditions revealed a higher number of crocetin esters than those already characterised by means of mass-spectrometry data and usually detected by HPLC. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography analyses carried out on the novel Luna Omega Polar C18 (Phenomenex) column confirmed the large number of crocetin derivatives. Further work is in progress to acquire mass-spectrometry data and to clarify the chemical structure to the newly found saffron components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Antonio D'Archivio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche e Chimiche, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Francesca Di Donato
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche e Chimiche, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Martina Foschi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche e Chimiche, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | | | - Fabrizio Ruggieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche e Chimiche, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
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Harvey DJ. Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2011-2012. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2017; 36:255-422. [PMID: 26270629 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This review is the seventh update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2012. General aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, and fragmentation are covered in the first part of the review and applications to various structural types constitute the remainder. The main groups of compound are oligo- and poly-saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides, and biopharmaceuticals. Much of this material is presented in tabular form. Also discussed are medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions, and applications to chemical synthesis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 36:255-422, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Harvey
- Department of Biochemistry, Oxford Glycobiology Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
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Pittenauer E, Rados E, Koulakiotis NS, Tsarbopoulos A, Allmaier G. Processed stigmas of Crocus sativus
L. imaged by MALDI-based MS. Proteomics 2016; 16:1726-30. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201500534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ernst Pittenauer
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics; Vienna University of Technologies; Vienna Austria
| | - Edita Rados
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics; Vienna University of Technologies; Vienna Austria
| | | | - Anthony Tsarbopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School; National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Athens Greece
| | - Günter Allmaier
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics; Vienna University of Technologies; Vienna Austria
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15
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Urbani E, Blasi F, Simonetti MS, Chiesi C, Cossignani L. Investigation on secondary metabolite content and antioxidant activity of commercial saffron powder. Eur Food Res Technol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00217-016-2687-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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16
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Kouloura E, Skaltsounis AL, Michel S, Halabalaki M. Ion tree-based structure elucidation of acetophenone dimers (AtA) from Acronychia pedunculata and their identification in extracts by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2015; 50:495-512. [PMID: 25800186 DOI: 10.1002/jms.3556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 10/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Acronychia-type acetophenones (AtA) is a chemical group of compounds of important structural and biological interest, abundant in Acronychia species. However, there are no data available for their characterization using mass spectrometry. In the current work, AtA have been investigated by multistage high resolution mass spectrometry and both electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, in positive and negative mode, were utilized for their structure elucidation and identification. The analysis of AtA using a linear ion trap-Orbitrap analyzer enabled the structural determination of key fragment ions and cleavages, which can be used for the structural characterization thereof. A systematic nomenclature based on protonated and deprotonated fragment ions under collision-induced dissociation conditions and decision trees for the structural determination of AtA are proposed. Furthermore, taking advantage of the characteristic fragmentation patterns, a selective Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization multistage Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI(-)-MS(n)) method was developed and successfully applied for the dereplication of known AtA and the identification of potentially new ones in Acronychia extracts. Despite the structure similarity and the presence of isomers, accurate characterization of known and unknown AtA derivatives was possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Kouloura
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis Zografou, Athens, 15771, Greece; UMR/CNRS 8638, Faculté de Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie de l'Université Paris Descartes, 4 Avenue de l'Observatoire, F-75006, Paris, France
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17
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Rodríguez-Neira L, Lage-Yusty MA, López-Hernández J. Influence of culinary processing time on saffron's bioactive compounds (Crocus sativus L.). PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2014; 69:291-296. [PMID: 25373843 DOI: 10.1007/s11130-014-0447-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Saffron, the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L., is used as a condiment spice. The major bioactive compounds are crocins, picrocrocin and safranal, which are responsible for the sensory profile of saffron (color, flavor and aroma, respectively), and also health-promoting properties. In this paper, the effect on the bioactive compounds of different cooking times in boiling water at 100 °C in samples of Saffron from La Mancha (safranal, picrocrocin, trans-crocin 4, cis-crocin 4 and trans-crocin 3) was investigated. Performance characteristics of High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Variable Wavelength Detector method, parameters of linearity, limits of detection and quantification are reported. High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photo Diode Array-Mass Spectrometry was used as a confirmatory technique in crocins identification. When the samples are subjected to different cooking times, they present different behaviors, depending on the bioactive compound. In this way, no changes were observed in the concentration of picrocrocin, while heat culinary treatment adversely affects the concentrations of crocins and safranal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Rodríguez-Neira
- Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Saffron Samples of Different Origin: An NMR Study of Microwave-Assisted Extracts. Foods 2014; 3:403-419. [PMID: 28234327 PMCID: PMC5302256 DOI: 10.3390/foods3030403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
An NMR analytical protocol is proposed to characterize saffron samples of different geographical origin (Greece, Spain, Hungary, Turkey and Italy). A microwave-assisted extraction procedure was developed to obtain a comparable recovery of metabolites with respect to the ISO specifications, reducing the solvent volume and the extraction time needed. Metabolite profiles of geographically different saffron extracts were compared showing significant differences in the content of some metabolites.
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19
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Characterisation of secondary metabolites in saffron from central Italy (Cascia, Umbria). Food Chem 2014; 143:446-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Pittenauer E, Koulakiotis NS, Tsarbopoulos A, Allmaier G. In-chain neutral hydrocarbon loss from crocin apocarotenoid ester glycosides and the crocetin aglycon (Crocus sativus L.) by ESI-MS(n) (n=2, 3). JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2013; 48:1299-1307. [PMID: 24338885 DOI: 10.1002/jms.3290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The stigmas of Crocus sativus L. have been used as spice and colorant agent (i.e. saffron) for more than 4000 years. For an updated structural investigation of the aglycon present in the glycosylated crocetin apocarotenoids (i.e. crocins), seven representative derivatives ranging from one up to five glucosyl-residues with a maximum number of three monosaccharides per glycosylation site (glucose, gentiobiose, gentiotriose and neapolitanose) were isolated and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The compounds selected for further mass spectrometric investigation include glucosyl-, bis-glucosyl-, gentiobiosyl-, gentiobiosyl-glucosyl-, bis-gentiobiosyl-, gentiobiosyl-gentiotriosyl- and gentiobiosyl-neapolitanosyl-crocetin. Electrospray ionization in combination with low-energy collision-induced dissociation/tandem mass spectrometry of sodiated crocin precursor ions utilizing either a 3D-ion trap (MS(n) , n = 2, 3) or a QqTOF instrument, with the latter providing accurate mass determination with an accuracy of ±1-3 ppm or better at a resolution of 10,000 (full width at half maximum), was used. Major fragmentation pathways included loss of either one or two carbohydrate substituents leading to the sodiated aglycon without interglycosidic bond cleavage during in MS(2) -experiments. All sodiated precursor ions and major product ions were accompanied by a loss of 92 Da, which was elucidated as C7 H8 -loss from the aglycon by skeletal rearrangement via an eight-membered transition state as previously described for intact C40-carotenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst Pittenauer
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
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Li X, Huang T, Jiang G, Gong W, Qian H, Zou C. Synergistic apoptotic effect of crocin and cisplatin on osteosarcoma cells via caspase induced apoptosis. Toxicol Lett 2013; 221:197-204. [PMID: 23830991 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.06.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Crocin is well-known traditional Chinese medicine which is extracted from saffron. However, its role in osteosarcoma has not been well understood. Therefore, we used crocin and cisplatin individually or jointly on MG63 and OS732 cells so as to explore whether crocin could induce cellular apoptosis and suppress the ability of invasion of osteosarcoma cells. Cell survival rates, changes of cellular shape, cell apoptosis and cell invasion were analyzed, respectively, by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-2,5-di- phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay, inverted phase contrast microscope and fluorescence microscope, flow cytometry, and Transwell invasion chamber methods. The expressions of caspase-3 and caspase-8 were detected by Western blot. The survival rate of combined application was significantly lower than that of the individual application. Apoptosis-inducing effect of combined application was much stronger than that of individual application. The invasion ability of MG63 and OS732 cells was restrained significantly in the combined group compared with the individual group and control group. Combined group has the effect of up-regulating the expressions of cleaved-caspase-3 and caspase-8. The results suggested that combination of crocin and cisplatin has a strong killing effect on osteosarcoma cells and suppresses the ability of invasion of MG63 and OS732 cells which might be related to up-regulate the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiucheng Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001 Liaoning, PR China
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