Saffron By-Products as Underused Resources: An Ethnobotanical Survey and Phytochemical Study in the Taliouine Region

Authors

• Zineb Khadfy, Team of Biotechnology, Materials and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, 80000, Agadir, Morocco.Follow
• Rachid Mamouni, Team of Biotechnology, Materials and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, 80000, Agadir, Morocco.
• Sm Jadouali, Department of Environmental Engineering Higher School of Technology / Khenifra Sultan Moulay Slimane University. Morocco
• Imane Kasimi, Team of Biotechnology, Materials and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, 80000, Agadir, Morocco.
• Hajar Atifi, Team of Biotechnology, Materials and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, 80000, Agadir, Morocco.
• Abd Elghani Tahiri, Natural Resources and Local Products Research Unit, Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institut of Agriculture Research, Inezgane, Agadir, Morocco
• Youssef Karra, Natural Resources and Local Products Research Unit, Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institut of Agriculture Research, Inezgane, Agadir, Morocco

Abstract

Saffron (Crocus sativus ) is a very traditional plant in Morocco, especially in the Taliouine region. Saffron stigmas are traditionally used as a food additive due to their secondary metabolites. Our study aims to assess the traditional uses of saffron by-products, generated after the harvest of saffron stigmas, by local populations of Taliouine and regions. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted with 42 local people in six communities. The survey consisted of two parts: the first part was about the demographic information of the respondents (name, age, sex, and level of education.). While the second part concerns questions that target the use of saffron bio-residues (plant parts used, types, and mode of use). The results show that only 36% of respondents report the use of saffron by-products. Cosmetic uses showed the highest percentage (38%). The petals (50%) and stamens (42%) were the main used parts in powder form (69%), followed by maceration form (19%). The high content of bioactive compounds, and the high antioxidant activity of saffron by-products especially tepals, validated the traditional uses of this biomass by the population of Taliouine surveyed. Saffron by-products are rarely used by residents due to the lack of agricultural training and formal education among local farmers and residents.

Article History

Received: Nov 07, 2025; Accepted: Sep 19, 2026; Published: Sep 30, 2026

Recommended Citation

Khadfy, Z., Mamouni, R., Jadouali, S., Kasimi, I., Atifi, H., Tahiri, A. E., & Karra, Y. (2026). Saffron By-Products as Underused Resources: An Ethnobotanical Survey and Phytochemical Study in the Taliouine Region, Journal of Bioresource Management, 13 (3).