Κρόκος Κοζάνης: Ο κόκκινος χρυσός και οι ευεργετικές του ιδιότητες.
Date Issued
November 7, 2023
Type
Πτυχιακή Εργασία
Abstract
The saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a herbaceous, narrow-leaved and bulbous plant of
the Iridaceae family and the order Liliales. It is one of the rarest and most special
plants in our country, because it is grown only in the homonymous village of Kozani,
Krokos. It belongs to one of the oldest plant species in the world with great historical
depth and stands out for its characteristic aroma, taste, color and multiple benefits to
the human body. It is distinguished for its superior quality characteristics and has been
characterized as the "gold of the Greek land" as it provides significant benefits to the
economy. The purpose of the study was to summarize the available information and to
update our knowledge about the saffron.
This dissertation is an extensive bibliographic review through international
and domestic bibliography on the cultivation and processing of saffron. The
cultivation practices and the special way of harvesting are presented, as well as the
ISO 3632 quality assurance standard. More specifically, the crocus is harvested as
soon as the flower is fully open, first the red fibrous stigmas are collected and then the
three yellow stamens that carry the pollen. After the harvest follows the processing,
which is necessary to do on the same day because over time its properties are lost. The
processing steps are the separation of the stigma from the rest of the flower, the
drying and finally the storage. In the continuation of our study, we deepen our
knowledge with a detailed reference to the chemical components of dry stigma, which
are mainly crocin, saffranal and picrocrocin. At the same time, the nutritional and
beneficial benefits of yolk are examined and analyzed, through the various
experiments that have been carried out, it appears that its main components contribute
to the fight against various chronic diseases and promote health with significant
benefits in immune-related disorders. Finally, it is noted that its irrational use can
cause poisoning or various side effects.
Subjects