  Crocus sativus L., otherwise known as saffron, is a highly prized plant due
to its unique triploid capability and elongated stigmas, contributing to its
status as the costly spice globally. The color and taste properties of saffron
are linked to carotenoid elements including cis- and trans-crocin, picrocrocin,
and safranal. In the research carried out, we dedicated our attention to the
gene CsZCD, an important player in the formation of apocarotenoids. Through the
application of real-time polymerase chain reaction to RNA purified from saffron
stigmas at various growth phases, it was determined that the peak expression of
the CsZCD gene coincided with the red stage, which is associated with the
highest concentration of apocarotenoids. The data showed a 2.69-fold
enhancement in CsZCD gene expression during the red phase, whereas a 0.90-fold
and 0.69-fold reduction was noted at the stages characterized by orange and
yellow hues, respectively. A noteworthy observation was that CsZCD's expression
was three times that of the CsTUB gene. Additionally, relative to CsTUB, CsLYC
displayed 0.7-fold and 0.3-times expression. Our investigation provides insight
into the governance of CsZCD during stigma maturation and its possible
influence on the fluctuation in apocarotenoid content. These discoveries carry
significance for the industrial production of saffron spice and underscore the
importance of additional studies on pivotal genes participating in the
synthesis of apocarotenoids.
