Development of a high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for identifying common adulterant content in saffron (Crocus sativus L.).

By detecting the specific constituents allantoin, ChA and HSYA in one run, the adulterants of corn stigma, chrysanthemum and safflower can be effectively identified and estimated in saffron. This is the first report on developing a simple, sensitive and operational method for the identification and estimation of common adulterants of saffron, that was forwarded for broaden application.