Production of saffron crocin by cell culture method

How Cell Culture Technology Is Used to Produce Saffron Crocin

A member of the faculty of the Food Science and Technology Research Institute announced the production of saffron crocin for the first time in Iran using cell culture method in the Food Science and Industry Research Institute.

Dr. Seyed Mehdi Ziaratnia, referring to the strategic importance of the saffron plant and its numerous medicinal properties, said: Crocin is actually the color of the saffron plant, which has many medicinal properties. At present, this substance has been produced in the research institute of food science and industry on a laboratory scale by cell culture method.

The faculty member of the Food Science and Technology Research Institute continued: In this method, there is no need to cultivate saffron to produce the active ingredient, and production is done outside of environmental conditions and restrictions. Also, due to the fact that planting this plant in the traditional way has high labor costs, using cell culture to produce crocin is more economical.

Saying that saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, Ziaratnia pointed out: The derivatives of this plant have been widely used in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and health industries, and by using these compounds in the mentioned industries, high added value can be produced.

He added: Compounds in saffron, including crocin, have been studied in laboratory and cell-culture research for possible roles related to cancer and cardiovascular health, an area of interest that could be explored further by using cell proliferation methods outside traditional field cultivation. These findings come from early-stage lab research rather than human clinical trials, and saffron and its compounds are not a substitute for medical treatment or a proven means of preventing these conditions; anyone with a health condition should consult a healthcare professional.

Referring to the main purpose of this research project, the faculty member of the Food Science and Technology Research Institute said: The main purpose of this project is to produce saffron crocin on a large scale and low cost to use this valuable bioactive compound in related industries.

Ziaratnia emphasized that saffron is a plant of significant interest for its range of medicinal compounds. He added that the purposeful production of effective compounds of this plant with the benefit of new scientific methods should be considered by industry and used as an efficient method to meet industrial needs.