Extraction and Color Stability Evaluation of Crocin from Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis

Abstract

      Crocin belongs to the carotenoids group and is found in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. It is not only capable of creating color for food, but also has a lot of pharmaceutical effects such as improving memory, anti-convulsants, antidepressants, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, etc. The objectives of this study were to detemine the crocin extraction methodology from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and the color stability in different conditions. Carotenoid content was determined by the Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV - VIS) at 440 nm wavelength. The results indicated that Gardenia jasminoides is a potential material to obtain high crocin concentrations, up to 16.04 mg/g, for fresh material and 14.63mg/g for dried material. The crocin extraction efficiency reached the peak with ethanol: water solvent (40:60, 50:50, v/v). The optimal solvent : raw materials ratio and fresh and dry materials extracting conditions were 20ml/1g at 40°C in 45 minutes; 25 ml/g at 70°C in 60 minutes, respectively. Crocin is stable at the temperatures below 100°C within 140 minutes. Besides, crocin is also stable in weak acid and neutral and alkaline conditions.