Austrian scientist, JU professor collaborate to assess geographic origin of Saffron

Pulwama, Sept 17: An Austrian scientist in collaboration with a Jammu University professor has undertaken a project to develop methods for differentiating saffron samples from different geographic origins.
The research will be very useful for various stakeholders involved in cultivation and trade of this precious spice as they will be able to check malpractice of labelling Saffron of one origin as saffron from other origin.
A DST funded Indio-Austrian project is being undertaken by Dr Horacek, an Austrian researcher and Jyoti Vakhu, Professor of Biotechnology at Jammu University, for assessing geographical origin of saffron using stable isotope and microbiome techniques.
The collaborative project, “Stable isotope and endomicrobiome as a marker for origin of saffron in absence of genetic markers”, has resulted in publication of two recent papers “Microbiome Fingerprint as Biomarker for Geographical Origin and Heredity in Crocus sativus: A Feasibility Study” and “Exploring the Potential of Sr 87/ Sr 86 Isotope Ratio with Strontium and Rubidium Levels to Assess the Geographic Origin of Saffron” in a peer-reviewed journal.
Dr. Horacek is further looking to assess the geographical origin of saffron in Jammu and Kashmir using stable isotopes.
He visited the Pampore area of Pulwama and Kishtwar for sample collection and interaction with farmers.
His visit to Pampore was facilitated by Chuni Lal Bhat, former Agriculture Officer, Department of Agriculture Kashmir.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, Dr Horacek said that he is using isotope analysis to develop methods for differentiating saffron from different geographic origins.
He explained it is a known fact that for a considerable time period saffron has been subjected to adulteration and falsification (mislabelled).
“There is a need to control and verify authenticity of saffron and geographic origin as there is price variation in saffron grown at different places of the world” he said, adding that Saffron from Iran is most commonly available and cheaper also.
He narrated that there were instances where saffron from Iran was incorrectly labelled as saffron from some other place to get higher profit.
“ So I took research to develop methods to verify the authenticity of the geographic origin of Saffron to check such frauds,” he said, adding that isotope analysis shows promise but a lot of work still needs to be done.
Jyoti Vakhlu, Professor of Biotechnology at Jammu University, said that genetic variation is an easy method to find geographic origin of biological entities.
She explained that there are no genetic markers in saffron so her research focuses on differentiating saffron of various geographic origins using microbe technique.
“ Saffron of different areas have location specific microbes associated with it and on the basis of microbes it is possible to distinguish samples from various geographic origins,” she said.
She explained that her collaborator, Dr Horacek is using an isotope analysis method for differentiating saffron samples.