“…Carotenoids are the most characteristic and important components of saffron stigmas, responsible for the particular colorant features of this spice. They include both fat-soluble carotenoids such as lycopene, αand β-carotene and zeaxanthin, and, mainly, the water-soluble C 20 apocarotenoid, crocetin (8,8'-diapo-8,8'-carotenedioic acid), and its ester derivatives, with one or more molecules of sugar, the trans crocetin (β-d-digentibiosyl) ester being the most important and abundant component of this class (Lozano et al, 1999;Carmona et al, 2006c;Rychener et al, 1984) (Fig. 5).…”