Enhancing effect of UV-light on the accumulation of carthamine in dyer's saffron florets

Abstract

UV-C (254 nm)- and UV-B (280-320 nm)-light were irradiated onto bright- yellow capitula of dyer's saffron and their effects on carthamine accumulation compared. UV-C light promotes reddening of florets more prominently than UV-B light, yielding higher amounts of carthamine after the radiation process. The enhancement of carthamine synthesis by UV-C light was investigated on cellulose columns loaded with floret extracts under O2- sufficient or O2-deficient conditions. Externally charged O2 inhibits the UV-C- stimulated carthamine formation. The results are discussed in relation to light stimulation of carthamine synthesis in dyer's saffron florets.