SAFFRON. The prepared stigmata of the Crocus satins. The stiginata.of this purple crocus are of a deep orange color, and when in quantity have a pecu liar and very characteristic odor; they are used im medicine, chiefly as a rich yellow or orange coloring matter. Saffron is now chiefly imported from the south of Europe, especially Spain. Saffron is often largely adulterated with the petals of other plants, especially with those of the marigold.
It contains a yellow matter called poly ch,roite, because a small quantity of it is capable of coloring a great body of water. This is obtained by evaporating the wa tery infusion of saffron to the consist ence of an extract, digesting the extract with alcohol, and concentrating the alco holic solution. The polychroite remains in the form of a brilliant mass, of a red dish-yellow color, transparent, and of the consistence of honey. It has the agreea ble smell, with the bitter pungent taste, of saffron. It is very soluble in water ; and if it be stove-dried, it deliquesces speedily in the air. According to M. lIeurypere, polychroite consists 3f eighty parts of coloring matter, combined with 20 parts of a volatile oil, which cannot be separated by distillation till the coloring matter has been combined with an alka li- By mixing one part of shred saffron with eight parts of saturated brine, and one halt of caustic Icy, and distilling the mixture, the oil comes over into the re ceiver, and leaves the coloring matter in the retort, which may be precipitated from the alkaline solution by an acid.
The pure coloring matter when dried, is of a scarlet hue, and then readily dis solved in alcohol, as also in the fat and volatile oils, but sparingly in water. Light blanches the reddish-yellow of saf fron, even when it is contained in a full vial well corked. Polyehroite, when combined with fat oil, and subjected to dry distillation, affords ammonia, which shows that azote is one of its constitu ents. Sulphuric acid colors the solution of polychroite indigo blue, with a lilach cast ; nitric acid turns it green of vari ous shades, according to the state of di lution. Protochloride (muriate) of tin produces a reddish precipitate.
Saffron is employed as a seasoning in Freueh cookery. It is also used to tinge confectionary articles, liqueurs, and var nishes ; hut rarely as a pigment.