Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Tomato Cultivars

The bioactive compounds of 16 tomato cultivars, grown in the same field for 2 years (2003 and 2004) were investigated. Lycopene (5.7–26.3 mg kg^?1) was the predominant carotenoid, while β-carotene (2.1–11.2 mg kg^?1) and a small amount of lutein (0.02–0.49 mg kg^?1) were found in all tomato cultivars. Kagome 77, the richest source of total carotenoids and L-ascorbic acid, also showed the highest antioxidant activity. β-Carotene and lutein contents of tomatoes differed between 2 years statistically. Antioxidant activities of tomatoes were found between 48 and 118 μmol TEAC 100 g^?1. A significant correlation was only observed between L-ascorbic acid (2.2–13.8 mg 100 g^?1) and antioxidant activity using TEAC assay.     

Carotenoids and Norisoprenoids as Carotenoid Degradation Products in Pandan Leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.)

Leaves from Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb., known as pandan leaves, are used as natural colorants, natural flavor, and herbal medicine in Indonesia. These leaves are sources of natural colorants, which are mostly of carotenoid origin. In addition, carotenoids can act as precursors of several aroma impact compounds such as norisoprenoids. The research objective of this study was to determine carotenoids by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography photo diode array and to determine norisoprenoids by Head Space Solid Phase Micro Extraction Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometry (HS-SPME GC-MS) with the aim to promote pandan leaves as potential natural flavor and natural colorants. β-carotene and lutein were found as major carotenoids in pandan leaves. Three different norisoprenoids (α-ionone, β-ionone, and β-cyclocitral) were identified in pandan leaves along with their carotenoid precursors (α-carotene and β-carotene).     

Major carotenoid composition of Brazilian Valencia orange juice: Identification and quantification by HPLC

The carotenoid composition of Brazilian Valencia orange juice was determined by open column chromatography (OCC) and high-performance liquid chromatography. Carotenoid pigments were extracted using acetone and saponified using 10% methanolic potassium hydroxide. Sixteen pigments were isolated by OCC and identified as α-carotene, ζ-carotene, β-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein-5,6-epoxide, violaxanthin, lutein, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, luteoxanthin A, luteoxanthin B, mutatoxanthin A, mutatoxanthin B, auroxanthin B and trollichrome B. Thirteen carotenoid pigments were separated using a ternary gradient (acetonitrile–methanol–ethyl acetate) elution on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column. Among these, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, ζ-carotene, α-carotene, and β-carotene were quantified. The total carotenoid content was 12 ± 6.7 mg/l, and the major carotenoids were lutein (23%), β-cryptoxanthin (21%), and zeaxanthin (20%).     

Carotenoid diversity in tropical-adapted yellow maize inbred lines

Maize is a staple food for millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa where a significant number of people suffer from vitamin A deficiency. Yellow maize contains both pro-vitamin A and nonprovitamin A carotenoids with potential health benefits to humans. An improvement in the concentration of these compounds can have a positive impact on dietary intakes in areas where yellow maize is consumed. An essential first step in breeding yellow maize for enhanced carotenoid concentrations involves an assessment of the carotenoid diversity of adapted maize inbred lines. Trials were thus conducted (i) to explore the genetic variation in carotenoid concentrations among tropical-adapted yellow maize inbred lines, (ii) to assess the potential for concurrent improvement of different carotenoids and (iii) to determine the consistency of carotenoid concentrations in different locations. Seed samples of a large set of lines harvested from four trials grown in one location and a fifth trial grown in two locations were analyzed for carotenoid concentrations using HPLC. The analyses of variance revealed that carotenoid concentrations were not strongly affected by the differences in replications or locations. There were large differences among the tropical-adapted yellow maize inbred lines in lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and total pro-vitamin A contents. As significant correlations were observed among carotenoids sharing a single branch of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, it should be feasible to increase the levels of multiple carotenoids simultaneously. Principal component analysis on the carotenoid composition of the yellow inbred lines identified some lines with higher levels of all carotenoids formed across both major branches of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, and other lines having higher levels of those carotenoids formed under a single major branch of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. These indicate that the selection of parental lines with diverse carotenoid profiles may possibly be exploited for genetic improvement of carotenoids in tropical maize.     

Study of major aromatic compounds in port wines from carotenoid degradation

The carotenoids degradation and the formation of volatiles were examined by simulating Port wine aging. A two year old red Port wine was saturated with oxygen, supplemented with lutein and β-carotene and kept at 60 °C during 87 h. A similar study was performed in a model wine solution. Results showed that the percentage decrease in lutein levels was, respectively, 79% and 95%, in the wine model solution and in the Port wine, and 55% and 10% for β-carotene, indicating that lutein was more sensitive to degradation than β-carotene. Two other unknown degradation carotenoid compounds were identified by HPLC/DAD (reverse phase λ_max: 422; 445; 475 and 422; 445; 472) in the lutein supplemented wine. Levels of β-ionone and β-cyclocitral increased (2.5 times) in both, wine and wine model solution, supplemented with β-carotene. Along with these compounds, the same behaviour was observed in β-damascenone in the supplemented lutein wine and wine model solution. New insights were provided into the understanding of aroma modifications occurring during Port wine aging. The relationship between carotenoid molecules (β-carotene and lutein) and some volatiles has also been provided.     

Effects of additional fibrils on structural and rheological properties of rice bran albumin solution and gel

Non-availability of standards is the main problem in quantification of carotenoids from plants. In this regard, six major carotenoids, i.e. all-E-luteoxanthin, 13-Z-lutein, all-E-lutein, all-E-zeaxanthin, 15-Z-β-carotene and all-E-β-carotene, were purified using open-column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. Using these purified standards, carotenoids from fresh leaves, flowers and fruits of eight commercially grown cultivars of Moringa oleifera were quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. All-E-lutein was found as the major carotenoid in leaves and fruits and accounted for 53.6 and 52.0 % of the total carotenoids, respectively. Among the eight cultivars screened, the cultivar Bhagya (KDM-1) had the maximum amount of all-E-zeaxanthin, all-E-β-carotene and total carotenoids. The methodology used in the present investigation for purification and quantification of carotenoids is simplified and hence finds use in screening of carotenoids in other plants. Results also explore the M. oleifera leaves as a rich source of carotenoids, which is significant for its implications in malnutrition programme to alleviate the vitamin A deficiency.     

Effect of extraction parameters on the carotenoid recovery from tomato waste

Tomato waste is an important source of natural carotenoids. This study was carried out to assess the extractability of tomato waste carotenoids in different organic solvents and to optimise the extraction parameters (type of solvent, extraction time, temperature and extraction steps) for maximum yield. Among other solvents, we tested a new environmentally friendly one, ethyl lactate, which gave the highest carotenoid yield (243.00 mg kg^?1 dry tomato waste) at 70 °C, compared to acetone (51.90 mg kg^?1), ethyl acetate (46.21 mg kg^?1), hexane (34.45 mg kg^?1) and ethanol (17.57 mg kg^?1). The carotenoid recovery was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the number of extraction steps and temperature in all solvents. Mathematic equations predicted rather satisfactorily (R² = 0.89–0.93) the rate of carotenoid extraction in the above‐mentioned solvents. Carotenoid concentration increased with time, approaching a quasi‐saturated condition at approximately 30 min of extraction.     

Changes in carotenoids during processing and storage of pumpkin puree

Changes in the contents of carotenoids and their true retentions (% TR) during the production of puree of Cucurbita moschata ‘Menina Brasileira’ and of Cucurbita maxima ‘Exposição’ pumpkins and the stability of such compounds during 180 days of storage were monitored by liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector. Cooking caused higher losses than commercial sterilisation. High losses of xanthophylls such as lutein and violaxanthin were noted during processing and storage of pumpkin puree. Such losses show the low stability of these compounds. The major carotenoids, pro-vitamin A carotenes, namely, α-carotene and all-trans-β-carotene for C. moschata ‘Menina Brasileira’ and all-trans-β-carotene for C. maxima ‘Exposição’ obtained high retentions (>75%) after processing. A slight degree of isomerisation of β-carotene was noted in the puree samples, but with low concentrations of cis-isomers. Storage for 180 days did not significantly affect (P ? 0.05) the concentrations of these carotenoids.     

Determination of Carotenoids in Fruits of Rosa sp. (Rosa Canina and Rosa Rugosa) and of Chokeberry (Aronia Melanocarpa)

Carotenoid composition of fruits of two Rosa species (Rosa canina and Rosa rugosa) and of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) was studied by high performance liquid chromatography. Nine carotenoids were determined: three carotenes (lycopene, ζ-carotene, β-carotene) and six xanthophylls (neoxanthin, trans-violaxanthin, cis-violaxan-thin, 5,6-epoxylutein, lutein, β-cryptoxanthin). This high number of compounds classified these fruits among those with the greatest variety of carotenoid pigments. Quantitatively large differences occurred in the carotenoid composition of the three fruits. Rosa hips contained the highest concentrations of total carotenoids, which were mainly comprised of lycopene and βcarotene. Conversely, total xanthophylls were low. In contrast to Rosa, fruits of Aronia were lower in total carotenoids while xanthophylls composed a higher proportion.     

Some studies on carotenoids and their degradation in black tea manufacture

The four major carotenoids, β-carotene, lutein, violaxanthine and neoxanthine were estimated spectroscopically in four different Tocklai Experimental Station released tea clones, namely, TV-1 (China hybrid), TV-2 (Assam(Betjan) variety), TV-9 (Assam-Cambod variety) and TV-17 (China hybrid). The quantitative changes of these carotenoids in different stages of black-tea manufacture were also studied in TV-2 (less flavoury) and TV-17 (flavoury) clones against TV-1 as standard. Comparative study showed that TV-2 contained the least amount of these carotenoids where as TV-9 and TV-17 contained greater amounts. All these carotenoids were found to decrease appreciably during black-tea manufacture. The decrease was found to be higher in the curling, tearing, crushing method than in the conventional orthodox method of tea manufacture. The changes of two of these carotenoids viz. β-carotene and lutein were not significant statistically during withering but were highly significant during fermentation. However, the reverse was true for violaxanthine where as the neoxanthine shows significant changes in both of these stages. The vitamin-A value was calculated from the residual β-carotene amount, pro-vitamin A, in black tea.     

Carotenoid composition and vitamin A value of the brasilian fruit Cyphomandra betacea

The carotenoid pigments of the fruit of the Tree Tomato Cyphomandra betacea were identified and quantified. β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, ζ-carotene, 5,6-monoepoxy-β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin were detected in both the pulp and the peel. The quantitative patterns of the pulp and the peel were similar, with cryptoxanthin and β-carotene predominating. The high average vitamin A value (2475 IU/100 g edible portion) is due to the principal carotenoids that have provitamin A activity.     

Separation and identification of the yellow carotenoids in Potamogeton crispus L.

It was found that ducks fed with Potamogeton crispus L. could lay natural red-yolk eggs with good quality in vast lake areas. P. crispus L. was found to be a new resource of carotenoids based on this fact. Carotenoids from P. crispus L. were extracted using petroleum ether-acetone and saponified using 40% methanolic potassium hydroxide. Four major yellow carotenoid pigments were obtained by a MgO column and thin-layer chromatography. These carotenoids were identified as neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein and β-carotene based on visible spectra in different solvents compared with values reported in the literature, functional group tests and mass spectrum by LC-MS. The content of total carotenoids from P. crispus L. was measured to be 231 μg/g (dry weight) by visible absorption spectroscopy.     

Technical note: Simultaneous carotenoid and vitamin analysis of milk from total mixed ration-fed cows optimized for xanthophyll detection

Concentrations of retinol, α-tocopherol, and major carotenoids in dairy products are often determined simultaneously by liquid chromatography. These compounds have different polarity and solubility; thus, extracting them simultaneously can be difficult and inefficient. In milks with low carotenoid concentrations, the xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin may not be completely resolved using common extraction techniques. A simplified method was developed to optimize extraction efficiency and the limit of detection and limit of quantification (LoQ) of lutein and zeaxanthin in bovine milk without decreasing sensitivity to other vitamins or carotenoids. The developed method evaluates lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, retinol, and α-tocopherol simultaneously by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection. Common saponification temperatures (40–60°C) and concentrations of KOH in water (10–50% KOH wt/vol) were evaluated. Multiple solvents were evaluated for optimal xanthophyll extraction (diethyl ether, dichloromethane, hexane, and tetrahydrofuran) following saponification. The limit of detection and LoQ were defined as 3:1 and 10:1 signal-to-noise ratio, respectively. All experiments were performed in triplicate. The optimal saponification procedure was a concentration of 25% KOH at either 40 or 50°C. Saponified extracts solubilized in solutions containing diethyl ether had greater concentrations of lutein- than hexane- or tetrahydrofuran-based solutions, with peak areas above LoQ values. The solution containing diethyl ether solubilized similar concentrations of retinol, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene when compared with other solutions. The proposed optimized method allows for the simultaneous determination of carotenoids from milk with increased lutein and zeaxanthin sensitivity without sacrificing recovery of retinol, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene.     

Analysis of α-Cryptoxanthin, β-Cryptoxanthin, α -Carotene,and β-Carotene of Pandanus Conoideus Oil by High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Pandanus conoideus is an endemic plant of Papua, Indonesia, reported to be very rich in carotenoids. The purpose of this study was to develop method for the determination of carotenoids (α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene) in P. conoideus oil (PO) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). sing the proposed method in this research, carotenoids content of nine clones of PO were analyzed which ranged from 5.4-138.5 ng/mg for α-cryptoxanthin, 3.9-29.4 ng/mg for β-cryptoxanthin, 3.5-80.0 ng/mg for α-carotene, and 10.8-118.0 ng/mg for β-carotene. Our results showed that four carotenoids content was very small as compared to total carotenoids content (3027-19959 ng/mg). This suggests that those four carotenoids were not a major component of the PO carotenoids. Using the principal component analysis, nine clones of P. conoideus can be grouped based on the proximity of its carotenoid content into group A (Monsor, Mbarugum, Himbiak, Monsrus and Memeri), group B (Menjib Rumbai), and group C (Edewewits, Hibcau and Hityom).     

Instability of carotenoids is a reason for their promotion on lipid oxidation

The effects of carotenoids, represented by β-carotene and lutein, on lipid oxidation in the bulk of purified triacylglyceride (TAG) were investigated. At a low concentration, β-carotene could suppress the oxidation of corn-TAG, but the higher the concentration of β-carotene added, the faster the rate of lipid oxidation; whereas lutein tended to accelerate the oxidation of corn-TAG, even though at a low concentration. Both β-carotene and lutein were degraded quickly in the corn-TAG sample, when the initial amount of the carotenoids added was high. But when paraffin was used to replace the corn-TAG, degradation rate of β-carotene and lutein did not differ from its initial concentration. Since paraffin was stable against heat, the different degradation rate of carotenoids in corn-TAG suggested that carotenoids involved in the TAG oxidation. Thus, it can be concluded that the instability of carotenoid is a reason for their promotion on lipid oxidation. However, this promotion could be blocked by tocopherols.     

Nutrient Composition of Chlorella spp. and Monodus subterraneus Cultured in a Bubble Column Bioreactor

The nutritional composition of two marine microalgae, Chlorella spp. and Monodus subterraneus, cultured in an outdoor bubble column photobioreactor used in batch mode was analyzed. Nutrients are reported at different microalgal growth phases. The proximate composition (moisture, crude protein, available carbohydrates and saponifiable oil), fatty acid and carotenoids at different growth stages were determined. On average, the biomass contained high amounts of protein in the two analyzed microalgae for all growth stages. Chlorella spp. biomass contained α-linolenic acid as predominant fatty acid, while M. subterraneus biomass was rich in palmitic and eicosapentaenoic fatty acids, which reached a maximum EPA productivity at the exponential growth phase (65.0 mg· L^?1·day^?1). For both microalgae, carotenoid content was strongly influenced by the growth phase. Chlorella spp. biomass was found to be good sources of lutein and β-carotene, while M. subterraneus biomass exhibited high amounts of neoxanthin and β-carotene. A high carotenoid productivity was obtained for this microalgae at the stationary growth phase, with 19.4 mg·L^?1·day^?1. The results of this study clearly demonstrated the relevance of microalgae for potential use in functional foods, justifying their commercial production.     

Carotenoid Photostability in Raw Spinach and Carrots During Cold Storage

A reverse-phase gradient HPLC method was developed for separating xanthophylls, chlorophylls, carotenes and cisβ-carotene isomers from raw spinach and carrots. The effect of dark and lighted cold storage on pigment stability was studied. Light promoted pigment losses in raw spinach. Degradative losses at 8 days ranged from 60% for violaxanthin to 22% for lutein. Dark, cold storage did not affect carotenoid levels except for all-transβ-carotene which showed an 18% loss at 8 days. In raw carrots, neither lighted nor dark cold storage affected major carotenoids. In spinach, the isomeric distribution of β-carotene showed strong linear correlations between trans and cis forms.     

Comparative study on the carotenoid composition of the peel and the pulp of different citrus species

The carotenoid compositions of the peel and the pulp of various citrus fruits were compared with HPLC methods using C18 and C30 columns. The extracts usually contain β-cryptoxanthin and lutein in considerable amounts and in all species except lime, the red apocarotenoid β-citraurin as well. In case of lime and mandarin the carotenoid compositions of peel and pulp show a good coincidence while in orange, clementine, grapefruit, lemon and kumquat there are a lot more differences. Lime extracts contain practically only two carotenoids: β-carotene and lutein. The carotenoid components of the saponified extracts of kumquat were separated on calcium carbonate columns and were investigated in detail. The components were identified with HPLC–DAD and HPLC–MS.Industrial relevanceCitrus fruits are important starting materials for juice production. Their carotenoid fingerprint shows differences not only in different species but the proportion of certain pigments can be different in the same fruit according to where the plants were grown and how they were processed. Comparison of the carotenoid content of different fruit products (e.g. juices) can give us useful hints about the quality of the product and about the amount of these important natural antioxidants.     

The content of polyphenols and carotenoids in three apricot cultivars depending on stage of maturity and geographical region

During the ripening of three apricot cultivars (“Keckemetska ruza”, “Madjarska najbolja” and “Velika rana”) grown in two different geographical region of Croatia the changes of polyphenols and carotenoids were determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV–Vis photo diode array detection. The content of individual polyphenols during ripening was quite similar, whereas their amount differed significantly. Immature fruits showed the highest level of polyphenols, which decreased at semi-mature fruits and did not change remarkably in commercial mature fruits. Among polyphenols, flavan-3-ols, chlorogenic acid and quercetin-3-rutinoside were dominant in all ripening stages of all apricot cultivars. The quantity of polyphenols during apricot fruits ripening depended on cultivars, while the region of cultivation did not have remarkable influence on polyphenols amount. During ripening carotenoids increased significantly especially β-carotene which represented 70–85% of the total carotenoid content. Besides β-carotene, in all apricot cultivars γ-carotene was found. α-Carotene, zeaxantin and lutein were found in cv. “Madjarska najbolja” and in cv. “Velika rana” α-carotene and lutein were determined. The region of cultivation and the cultivar were important factors, which influenced the carotenoid amount of apricot fruits, and this content was higher in cultivars grown in Mediterranean region.