Saffron COAs & Active Compound Transparency Crocin, Crocetin, Picrocrocin & Safranal Explained (Backed by Real Lab Data)

👉 [View Our Saffron Extract Here]

Why We’re Publishing Our Saffron COAs Publicly

Saffron is one of the most researched plants in the world, and also one of the most misunderstood. Most saffron products on the market rely on partial testing, selective markers, or grouped results that make comparison difficult for consumers, formulators, and researchers.

This page exists to do something different.

We’re publicly sharing the Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for our saffron oleoresin & tinctures, along with clear explanations of what was tested, what wasn’t, and why those distinctions matter.

Transparency first. Always.

What Was Tested in Our Saffron Oleoresin

Our current COAs measure the following primary saffron constituents:

  • Crocin I

  • Picrocrocin

  • Safranal

These are the three most widely referenced compounds in saffron research and quality standards.

However, it’s critical to understand what these numbers actually represent and their limitations.

Important Clarification: We Tested Crocin I — Not “Total Crocins”

Crocin is not a single molecule.

There are at least five known crocin isomers, each with:

  • slightly different molecular structures

  • different absorption and conversion behavior

  • different biological roles

Our current testing quantifies Crocin I specifically, not the sum of all crocin isomers (“total crocins”).

This means:

  • Our crocin number is conservative, not inflated

  • Additional crocin isomers are present but not yet quantified

  • Future testing will expand beyond Crocin I

Even with this limitation, our results show higher active constituent levels than most saffron extracts on the market, including products tested with broader, but less specific panels.

Crocin → Crocetin: Why This Matters

When saffron is consumed, crocin is converted in the body into crocetin.

Crocetin is the form that:

  • circulates in blood plasma

  • crosses into eye tissue

  • has been shown to persist longer than many plant compounds

This conversion is why crocin content, and crocin structure matter far more than a single marketing metric.

We are actively working toward expanded testing that better reflects this biological reality.

Picrocrocin: More Than a Precursor

Picrocrocin is often misunderstood.

While it is the direct precursor to safranal, it is also:

  • a bioactive compound in its own right

  • associated with freshness and careful processing

  • supported by research on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activity

High picrocrocin often indicates less degradation and more preserved chemical potential.

Why Safranal Is Often Misrepresented

Safranal is responsible for saffron’s aroma, but it’s important to understand how it forms.

Safranal increases as:

  • saffron ages

  • picrocrocin breaks down

  • heat and processing stress increase

Some labs and products group picrocrocin and safranal together or include breakdown products in their totals.
This can make extracts appear “stronger” on paper, even when they reflect chemical conversion or degradation rather than increased biological diversity.

This is why safranal alone is not a reliable measure of saffron quality or potency.

Context matters.


Why These Results Matter, Even With Limited Testing

Even though our current testing:

  • focuses on Crocin I (not total crocins)

  • does not yet include flavonoids or minor constituents

Our saffron oleoresin still shows:

  • exceptionally high active compound density

  • Higher measured actives than many market leaders

  • results achieved without grouping or inflation

This strongly suggests there is more chemistry present than what’s currently being measured.

What’s Next: Expanded Analysis in Progress

We are actively working on:

  • Flavonoid analysis, including:

    • Kaempferol

    • Quercetin

  • Advanced mass spectrometry (MS) to identify:

    • additional crocin isomers

    • minor carotenoids

    • other bioactive constituents not captured in standard panels

These steps will allow us to move beyond “headline markers” and into true chemical profiling.

Using Our Water-Soluble Saffron Oleoresin

Our saffron oleoresin is water-soluble and highly concentrated, making it suitable for:

  • tinctures and liquid supplements

  • functional beverages

  • capsules and powders

  • topical and experimental formulations

We work with:

  • brands

  • formulators

  • researchers

  • product developers

to help translate this chemistry into real-world applications.

Wholesale, Formulation & Custom Projects

If you’re interested in:

  • wholesale purchasing

  • product development

  • formulation support

  • research collaboration

đź“© Contact:
will@mycosymbiotics.com

We’re happy to discuss responsible use, dosing context, and application strategies.

👉 [View Our Saffron Extract Here]