Claims:
1. A process for synthesis of a saffron extract, the process comprising;
adding a solvent to saffron threads in a reflux system at a temperature of 900C to obtain an extract;
obtaining a semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols and a recovered solvent based on separating the solvent from the extract, wherein the solvent is separated from the extract based on performing a distillation process for a predefined time, and wherein during extraction a reflux ratio lies between 0.5 to 1;
drying the semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols at 1000C in a hot air oven; and
synthesizing the saffron extract upon emulsifying the semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols at a predefined standard.

2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solvent is 99% ethanol.

3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the saffron extract comprises of bioactive compounds, and wherein the bioactive compounds are one or more of crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal.

4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the saffron extract is a semi-solid form of saffron extract.

5. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recovered solvent is in the range of 60-90% of the solvent.

6. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distillation process is performed for the predefined time of 2-3 hours.
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A PROCESS FOR SYNTHESIS OF A SAFFRON EXTRACT

Applicant:
VENKATESHWARA AROMATICS PRIVATE LIMITED
A company Incorporated in India
Having address:
Second floor, Renuka bldg, Nandadip society,
Anand Nagar, Pune – 411051, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

PRIORITY INFORMATION
[001] This patent application does not claim priority from any application.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a saffron extract, and in particularly a process for synthesis of a saffron extract.

BACKGROUND

[003] Generally, dried stigmas of saffron (Crocus sativus) is used as a flavoring agent and as a medicinal remedy. Saffron is one of the most widely used spices in the world. Saffron contains various phytochemicals, which are produced by plants through primary or secondary metabolism. Saffron's taste and iodoform- or hay-like fragrance result from the chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. It also contains a carotenoid dye, crocin, which imparts a rich golden-yellow hue to dishes and textiles.
[004] Recovery of the phytochemicals found in the dried stigmas is dependent on the type of process used to synthesize the saffron extract. Process parameters are optimized in order to increase yield of the phytochemicals and to improve the quality of the saffron extract obtained. The saffron extract generally is known to contain
[005] The saffron extract generally contains safranal, a carboxaldehyde volatile compound (70% of total volatile constituents), which is formed by de-glucosylation of picrocrocin. The phytochemical profile of the saffron extract varies from various varieties and ISO grades of saffron. Common processes to obtain the saffron extract is a process of solvent extraction, supercritical carbon di-oxide extraction process, and liquid-liquid microextraction.
SUMMARY
[006] Before the present process is described, it is to be understood that this application is limited to the particular process described. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a process for synthesis of a saffron extract and the concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[007] In one implementation, a process for synthesis of a saffron extract is disclosed. The process comprises obtaining an extract by adding a solvent to saffron threads in a reflux system at a temperature of 900C. Further, the process comprises of obtaining a semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols and a recovered solvent based on separating the solvent from the extract. The solvent is separated from the extract based on performing a distillation process for a predefined time. The reflux ratio during the process of extraction lies between 0.5 to 1. Furthermore, the process comprises drying of the semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols. The process comprises synthesizing the saffron extract upon emulsifying the semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols at a predefined standard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[008] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “adding”, “obtaining”, “synthesizing”, “drying”, “emulsifying”, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any process for synthesis of a saffron extract or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice, the exemplary process for synthesis of the saffron extract is now described. The disclosed a process for synthesis of a saffron extract are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[009] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure for a process for synthesis of a saffron extract is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0010] The present description discloses a process for synthesis of a saffron extract is disclosed. An extract may be obtained by adding a solvent to saffron threads in a reflux system at a temperature of 900C. A semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols and a recovered solvent may be obtained based on separating the solvent from the extract. The solvent may be separated from the extract based on performing a distillation process for a predefined time. The reflux ratio during the process of extraction lies between 0.5 to 1. The semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols may be dried. The saffron extract may be synthesized upon emulsifying the semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols at a predefined standard.
[0011] In one aspect, the distillation process may be utilized for the separation of the solvent from the extract. Further, the distillation process may be utilized to obtain a semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols. The distillation process may be performed for a predefined time. The predefined time is preferably of 2-3 hours. The recovered solvent based on performing the distillation process obtained may be in the range of 60-90%.
[0012] The solvent used in the process for synthesis of saffron extract is preferably 99% ethanol.
[0013] In one aspect, the saffron extract may contain bioactive compounds. The bioactive compounds obtained may be one or more of crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal.
[0014] In one embodiment, the saffron extract synthesized is preferably of a semi-solid form.
[0015] In one aspect, the distillation process may be carried out in a soxhlet type of extractor.
[0016] In another aspect, the process for synthesis of saffron extract has a batch time of hours.
[0017] In one embodiment, the shelf life of the saffron extract is minimum of 12 months.
[0018] In one aspect, the saffron extract has less than 20 ppm levels of solvent.
[0019] In one embodiment, no pre-treatment of the saffron threads is required to synthesize the saffron extract.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the saffron extract is synthesized by adding 99% ethanol, as the solvent, to a 1kg amount of saffron threads in a reflux system to obtain an extract. The reflux system is maintained at a temperature of 900C. A 0.7 feed of the solvent is provided to the reflux system. The solvent is separated from the extract to obtain recovered solvent and a semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols. The solvent is separated from the extract based upon a distillation process. The distillation process is carried out in a soxhlet type of extractor. The semi-solid form of saffron extract with resinols is dried and is further emulsified to synthesize the saffron extract, with a yield in a range of 35% to 45% of the saffron extract is obtained. The yield of saffron extract obtained preferably is a yield of 40%.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the saffron extract synthesized has a technical specification, as mentioned below in Table 1.
Table 1: Technical Specification
Solubility in water 100%
Solubility in milk 100%
Absorbance of crocin (color) 0.54 -0.58
Absorbance of Picrocrocin (Bitterness) 0.32 – 0.36
Absorbance of Safranal (Aroma) 0.19 -0.22
Lead < 0.2 mg/kg
Arsenic, Mercury 0.1 mg/kg
Total Plate Count @ 370 C < 1 CFU/ml
Yeast & Mould 25 0 C < 1 CFU/ml
Density 1.06
pH 5.15
Agmark Dye Test Absent
Refractive Index 1.42 – 1.45

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the saffron extract synthesized has been quantified to contain the bioactive compounds safranal, picrocrocin, and crocin, as mentioned below in Table 2.
Table 2: Amount of Bioactive Compounds in Saffron Extract
Saffron Extract Premium
Parameters Units Result
Safranal – 330 nm Dry Basis g/100 g 10.64-11.86
Crocin - 440 nm Dry Basis g/100 g 26.95
Picrocrocin – 257 nm Dry Basis g/100 g 18.98 – 19.03

Saffron Extract Retail
Parameters Units Result
Safranal – 330 nm Dry Basis g/100 g 93.62
Crocin - 440 nm Dry Basis g/100 g 217
Picrocrocin - 257 nm Dry Basis g/100 g 133

[0023] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features.
[0024] Some embodiments enable the saffron extract to be used as a food ingredient and used in pharmaceuticals to treat various diseases, due to its high anti-oxidant properties and various health-promoting functions. The saffron extract is easy to use, cost-effective, and provides a higher phytochemical content in the saffron extract in comparison to dry or powdered form of saffron extract.
[0025] Some embodiments enable the saffron extract to be used as a flavor enhancer and the process used for synthesizing the saffron extract has a reduced batch time from 12 hours to 4-6 hours.
[0026] Although embodiments of a process for synthesis of a saffron extract has been described in language specific to steps/reactants, it is to be understood that the appended claims are necessarily limited to the specific process described. Further, the specific features and processes are disclosed as examples of embodiments of process for synthesis of a saffron extract.