In Vitro Bactericidal Activities Of Various Extracts Of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) Stigmas From Torbat-E Heydarieh, Gonabad And Khorasan, Iran

Saffron is one of the most highly priced agricultural products in the world. Its prize can reach 20,000 (sic)/kg retail and this is due both to the high demand and to the great cultivation and production costs. Several studies have demonstrated that differences in saffron quality are mainly due to the methodology followed in the processing of stigmas, and environmental conditions independent of the origin. Some authors found phenotypic variations within cultivated saffron, but very limited genetic diversity. The reason for the very limited genetic diversity in cultivated saffron is explained by its asexual mode of reproduction (propagation). The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of stigma saffron, which were tested against different bacteria strains. The results obtained from the antimicrobial activity study indicate that stigmas of C. sativus have some antimicrobial effect.