Annex White book.pdf

plies techniques used in European pharmaceutical industry, Greeceand Spain work pursuant to ISO/TS 3632. Further, Spain uses alsodifferent standards and regulations with various objectives: export qualitydetermination, quality determination for domestic market or qualityguarantee and protection for saffron production in different geographicalregions.The supplied information regarding physiochemical determinationis divided in three chapters: techniques based on the European pharmaceuticalindustry, techniques pursuant to ISO/TS 3632 and finallyvarious technical specifications.A4.1.1 TECHNIQUES BASED ON THE EUROPEAN PHARMACEUTICALINDUSTRYThe techniques for quality determination in Sardinia are based onmethods of the European pharmaceutical industry or on other methodsdeveloped by local researchers. They certify that various parameters arewithin the limits defined by law as demonstrated in table 6.ParameterAcceptable limitWeight loss (% p/p) Not more than 10 %Coloring intensity (A – 440 nm) Not less than 0,44Crude ashes (% p/p) Not more than 7 %Crocine (% p/p) Not less than 7,28 %Table 6. Parameters defined by Italian Law regarding saffronA4.1.1.1Weight loss determination through dryingDrying takes place in a desiccant unit with air circulation at 105oC.A saffron sample of 0,2 g (threads) is placed in an aluminum capsuleof a 10 cm diameter. The capsule remains in the desiccant unit at theabove temperature until its weight is stabilized. Upon completion of thetest performed on all samples that were delivered a day before, the dryresidue is weighed. The comparison to the initial weight before dryinggives the percentage of weight loss during drying.142