Saffron

Hassan Rezadoost (Author) Dr Hassan Rezadoost, based at Shahid Beheshti University, Iran, is an expert in natural products, metabolomics, and preparative chromatography, with over 1,550 citations. He has pioneered a purification method for crocin-I from saffron using multicolumn countercurrent solvent gradient purification (MCSGP), significantly improving yield, productivity, and cost-efficiency. His work has applications in pharmaceutical and neurological research.Hassan Esmaeili (Author) Dr Hassan Esmaeili of Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran, focuses on medicinal plants, essential oils, and secondary metabolites. His research explores the phytochemical properties and genetic diversity of plants. A notable contribution includes studying the genetic diversity of Nigella sativa using EST-SSR markers and agro-morphological traits.Edris Mahdavi-Fikjvar (Author) Edris Mahdavi Fikjvar is an Iranian researcher in medicinal plants, botany, and horticultural sciences. He was born in 1983 in Guilan Province, Iran, and holds a Master's degree in Horticultural Science (Medicinal Plants) and a PhD in Horticultural Science (Ornamental Plants). Since 2011, he has focused his research on medicinal plants and plant biology, publishing more than 100 scientific papers in national and international journals. He is also a co-author of Flora of Guilan Province and participated in a research project at Guilan University of Medical Sciences that developed a tissue-repair ointment. His work centers on the identification, conservation, and sustainable use of medicinal plants, contributing to both scientific knowledge and environmental sustainability.;Hartwig Schulz (Author, Series Edited By) Hartwig Schulz (PhD) studied chemistry in Bonn and Kiel (Germany). After completing his studies, he carried out several years research in the field of human nutrition (vitamin E, phytosterins, plant lipids) at the university of Kiel, Germany. Then, as head of an analytical department he worked 10 years for one of the worldwide largest perfume and flavor manufacturers (Symrise). From 1996 to 2019, he was the director and professor of a research institute under the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Germany. Hartwig Schulz is author of 259 scientific articles and book chapters and as the president of the "German Society for Quality Research (DGQ)" he was also engaged 8 years in food research on a national and international level. Since his retirement, he is working as a consultant, especially in the field of "medicinal and aromatic plants" and is also supporting various development aid projects on a voluntary basis.

• 1: Introduction: Historical and Cultural Background, Significance in the World Today 2: Botany: Taxonomy, Morphology, and Conservation of Natural Habitats 3: Breeding and Cultivation: Traditional and Modern Cultivation Methods, Harvest and Postharvest Processing 4: Chemistry: Bioactive Substances and Analytical Characterisation of Saffron Extracts 5: Industrial Applications: Use in Food, Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical Products 6: Global Saffron Market Dynamics, Socio-economic Aspects, International Quality Standards