**Saffron**

*Crocus sativus* L., a perennial flowering plant and most expensive spice in the world. The economic part is the dried stigmas which are the source of a natural dye. It is mainly used as a colouring agent, for dyeing silk and fabric rugs, painting, cooking and as medicine. The Colouring principle: Crocin (4–6%) isolated in the crystalline state by Karrer et al. [19].
