Is ISO 3632-2 method precise enough for saffron qualification in pharma industry?

Saffron is one of the most valuable medicinal herbs which application is getting more important in dietary supplements with approved medical indications. Therefore, the quality control method and the content of its API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient), namely, crocins and safranal, needs to be analyzed in a harmonized way. In current method of ISIRI 259-2:1391 and ISO 3632-2:2011 determination is based on specific absorption, E_1cm^(1%), which is more a screening method than a reliable quantitative method to measure the secondary metabolites or active components in saffron. There are efforts for its artificial production or defraud as well. As saffron is considered one of the most strategic plants in Iran, and with regard to the growing market in pharma industry, Zardband has done intra-laboratory comparison on the assays obtained by methods of UV-Vis and HPLC-DAD. The reliable method for pharma industry concluded to be routine analysis using HPLC-DAD.