# Biotechnological Potential of Algerian Saffron Floral Residues: Recycling Phytochemicals with Antimicrobial Activity

## TL;DR

This study shows that saffron floral residues contain powerful natural compounds with strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which could be used in new therapies.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific phytochemicals in saffron tepals with high antimicrobial potential and validates their interactions with bacterial proteins using molecular docking.

## Key findings

- Aqueous extracts of saffron tepals showed the highest levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins.
- Gallic acid, epicatechin, and chlorogenic acid were identified as key antimicrobial compounds.
- Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities of these compounds to bacterial proteins.

## Abstract

This study explores the bioactive compounds found in Crocus sativus L. tepals, evaluating their antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. Using advanced extraction techniques, we identified gallic acid, epicatechin, and chlorogenic acid as primary constituents. The resulting extracts demonstrated a robust capacity for neutralizing free radicals and inhibiting bacterial growth. Furthermore, computational simulations suggest that these compounds effectively interact with bacterial proteins, potentially disrupting their function. These findings highlight C. sativus tepals as promising natural health-promoting agents and a valuable resource for developing novel antibacterial therapies.

This study investigates the phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial potential of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) tepal extracts obtained via different solvent systems. Here, a biochemical screening was performed using spectrophotometry and HPLC-DAD, while molecular docking simulations were carried out to evaluate the possible interactions between saffron tepal metabolites and bacterial target proteins. In parallel, antioxidant activity was assessed using radical scavenging assays, whereas antimicrobial potential (i.e., MIC, MBC, and MFC) was tested against selected bacterial strains. Results indicated that aqueous successive and crude extracts yielded the highest concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins. In detail, HPLC-DAD analysis specifically identified significant levels of gallic acid, epicatechin, and various anthocyanins. These extracts demonstrated robust antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. This latter evidence was corroborated by the docking analyses, which revealed that chlorogenic acid and petunidin-3-glucoside exhibited high binding affinities for 2NRK and 2NZF, whereas epicatechin and pelargonidin effectively targeted 8ACR. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of C. sativus tepals as natural bioactive agents, suggesting a promising role in overcoming antibiotic resistance and supporting their development for pharmaceutical applications.