Abstract
The study was performed to obtain the optimum extraction conditions for crocin from gardenia fructus. Generally crocin is unstable on heat, light, acid and base solution. The extraction efficiency of crocin from gardenia depended upon the extraction time, extraction temperature, pH in the extraction bath and the optimum conditions of crocin extraction were determined as 60 minutes of extraction time, 4$0^{\circ}C$ of extraction temperature, pH 7 of extraction bath. The molar extinction coefficient of crocin was 12,515 and the color yield of purified crocin was about six times higher than that of non-purified crocin. The heat-stability at extraction temperature and lightstability in irradiation with xenon lamp for one hour of the purified crocin were higher than those of non-purified crocin. Intensity of &{\lambda}_{max}&of crocin was decreased by irradiation for one hour but UV-Vis. spectra of crocin was not changed. The colors of purified and non-purified crocin dissolved wit methanol was evaluated by means of CIE L* a* b* system.