Characterization of 12 Capsicum varieties by evaluation of their carotenoid profile and pungency determination

In this research 12 different varieties of Capsicum cultivars belonging to three species (Capsicum chinense, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens) and of various colour, shape, and dimension have been characterised by their carotenoids and capsaicinoids content. The berries were cultivated in the region Emilia-Romagna, in Northern Italy. The native carotenoid composition was directly investigated by an HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology, for the first time. In total, 52 carotenoids have been identified and considerable variation in carotenoid composition was observed among the various cultivars investigated. Among the cultivars with red colour, some Habanero, Naga morich and Sinpezon showed an high β-carotene content, whereas Serrano, Tabasco and Jalapeno showed an high capsanthin content and the absence of β-carotene. Habanero golden and Scotch Bonnet showed a high lutein, α-carotene and β-carotene amounts, and Habanero orange was rich in antheraxanthin, capsanthin and zeaxanthin. Cis-cryptocapsin was present in high amount in Habanero chocolate.     

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.     

Antioxidant activity and profiles of common fruits in Singapore

Thirty-eight types of fruits commonly consumed in Singapore were systematically analysed for their hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC), total phenolic content (TPC), ascorbic acid (AA) and various lipophilic antioxidants. Antioxidant composition and concentration varied widely across different fruits. Many of the tropical fruits tested were high in antioxidants. Amongst all fruits tested, sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) had the highest H-ORAC and TPC whilst guava had the highest AA per gram fresh weight. Papaya, red watermelon and cantaloupe had the highest β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene and β-carotene per gram fresh weight, respectively. On the other hand, durian and mangosteen were high in tocopherols and tocotrienols, respectively. Based on consumption data, Chinese Singaporeans appear to have a higher intake of carotenoids and tocopherols rich fruits compared to the US population. As fruits are a rich source of diverse antioxidants, efforts to promote consumption of a variety of fruits should be continued for public health benefits.     

Analysis of carotenoids with emphasis on 9-cis β-carotene in vegetables and fruits commonly consumed in Israel

Recent epidemiological studies have directed the attention from the synthetic all-trans β-carotene to natural carotenoids predominant in fruits and vegetables as possible active ingredients for prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Seventeen fruits and 17 vegetables commonly consumed in Israel and the β-car-otene-rich alga, Dunaliella bardawil, were analysed for their content of carotenoids with emphasis on 9-cis β-carotene by reversed-phase, 3D photodiode array HPLC. Fourteen carotenoids were eluted in order of decreasing polarity, from polar oxycarotenoids to lipophilic hydrocarbons, and quantified in μg carotenoid per gram freeze-dried plant sample. The richest sources of total carotenoids (>100μg/g dry weight) in Israeli fruits were pittango, mango and papaya while, in vegetables, the predominant types were carrot, dill, parsley, tomato, lettuce, sweet potato and red pepper. Red fruits and vegetables contained mainly lycopene. Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables had high contents of hydrocarbon carotenes with substantial levels of cryptoxanthins and xanthophylls. The green vegetables had high contents of both xanthophylls and hydrocarbon carotenes. Relatively high ratios (9-cis to all-trans β-carotene) of above 0.2 g/g were noted in sweet potato, papaya, parsley, lettuce, dill, apricot, pepper, prune and pumpkin, compared to the high ratio of 9-cis to all-trans β-carotene in the alga Dunaliella (~ 1.0 g/g). The high content of 9-cis β-carotene in certain fruits and vegetables and the wide variety of carotenoids and stereoisomers of carotenoids in all plants should shift nutritional and medical attention from the synthetic all-trans β-carotene toward natural carotenoids as potential candidates for chemoprevention.     

库买提杏中主要类胡萝卜素的组成和含量分析

为明确库买提杏中主要类胡萝卜素组分及含量,应用高效液相色谱-二极管阵列检测-大气压化学电离-质谱技术获取其色谱、质谱和光谱信息并与标准品信息相比较,分析鉴定杏中主要的类胡萝卜素,利用高效液相色谱定量检测鲜杏中主要类胡萝卜素。结果表明：库买提杏中主要含有β-胡萝卜素、α-胡萝卜素和β-隐黄素以及顺式异构体等类胡萝卜素组分,其中β-胡萝卜素含量（以干基计算）高达114?μg/g,说明库买提杏中蕴含丰富的β-胡萝卜素,可以作为人体获取β-胡萝卜素的食物来源。     

Carotenoid content and expression of phytoene synthase and phytoene desaturase genes in bitter melon (Momordica charantia)

Momordica charantia, a tropical plant, produces a fruit that has a β-carotene concentration five times higher than that of carrot. To elucidate the molecular basis of β-carotene accumulation in M. charantia, the gene expression levels of phytoene synthase (McPSY) and phytoene desaturase (McPDS) were determined. These levels were particularly high in the flowers of M. charantia. During fruit maturation, the expression levels of McPSY and McPDS decreased during the mid-stages but increased in the fully mature fruit. In addition, carotenoids accumulated as the peel changed from green to orange. Thus, McPSY and McPDS expression correlated with carotenoid accumulation during fruit maturation. Principal component analysis (PCA) also was used to evaluate the differences among the profiles of seven carotenoids identified in the fruit at several maturation stages. Riper fruits had higher carotenoid concentrations than less ripe fruits.     

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.     

Effect of blanching,drying, freezing and storage on degradation of β-carotene in different fruits

Since biologically active carotenoids play a significant role in metabolism and because of the fact that its stability can be affected by various factors decomposition degree of β-carotene of various kinds of fruits after drying, freezing, blanching as well as after drying and freezing of blanched fruits has been researched in order to prolong their consumption time-limit. The β-carotene content was determined by means of the spectrophotometric method measuring adsorbance intensity at 450 nm. The results of investigation reveal that the decomposition degree of β-carotene increases significantly with storage time. Depending on the kind of fruits, treatment and storage time it ranged from 6.10% to 68.74%. No significant differences have been found after a longer storage between blanched and non-blanched fruits, either dried or frozen.     

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.     

Characterisation of the carotenoids and assessment of the vitamin a value of Brasilian guavas (Psidium guajava L.)

The carotenoids of guava cultivar IAC-4 from the State of Sõ Paulo (southeastern Brasil) were identified as β-carotene, ζ-carotene, γ-carotene, zeinoxanthin, lycopene, 5,6,5′,6′-diepoxy-β-carotene and 5,8-epoxy-3,3′,4-trihydroxy β-carotene. The principal pigment was lycopene, corresponding to 86% of the total carotenoid content (62 μg/g). β-carotene was present at 3·7 μg/g; consequently, the vitamin A was relatively low (617 IU/100g). The same carotenoids were encountered in guavas from the States of Ceará and Pernambuco (northeastern Brasil). Cis-γ-carotene and 5,8-epoxy-zeinoxanthin were also found in the samples from Pernambuco. While the lycopene contents of the northeastern fruits were equal to, or lower than, that found in guava IAC-4, the β-carotene level (5·5–11·9 μg/g) was higher, corresponding to higher vitamin A values (917–1983 IU/100 g). With respect to vitamin C, the amount detected in guava cultivar IAC-4 was much higher (97·7 mg/100 g) than those encountered in the northeastern guavas (9·2–52·2 mg/100 g).     

Carotenoids in traditional Portuguese fruits and vegetables

Carotenoids, α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin, were determined in 10 varieties of five fruit species (orange, pear, peach, apple and cherry) and five varieties of four species of vegetables (Portuguese coles, turnip greens, purslane, leaf beet and beetroot leaves) cultivated in Portugal and country traditional, the fruits being of protected designation of origin or of protected geographical indication. The determination was done by high performance liquid chromatography, using two metal free reverse phase columns, an organic mobile phase based on acetonitrile, methanol and dichloromethane and a UV–vis photodiode array detector. Identification was done by retention time and spectral analysis and quantification was based on peak area at 450 nm by external calibration. The analysed leafy vegetables are a very good source of lutein (0.52–7.2 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (0.46–6.4 mg/100 g) while the analysed fruits have a considerably lower content of carotenoids (lutein, 0.0032–0.16 mg/100 g and β-carotene, 0.010–0.17 mg/100 g) and a complex and variable qualitative and quantitative carotenoid composition. Most estimated relative measurement expanded uncertainties were between 0.10 and 0.31. Results indicate that the carotenoid content of the analysed items could vary with species, varieties, geographical place of production (region, site) and time of harvest, and should be addressed in the eventual production of data for food composition data bases.     

Characterization of nutritionally important phytoconstituents in bitter melon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Momordica charantia</Emphasis> L.) fruits by HPLC–DAD and GC–MS

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is the traditional vegetable used as medicinal food, in different parts of the world, including Korea and China. Little is known about its bioactive composition aside from its health-promoting properties. Therefore, the present work aimed to determine the content of carotenoids, tocopherols, folates and fatty acids in bitter melon fruits. Using HPLC–DAD, six major carotenoids were quantified in fruits; all-E-lutein was recorded in highest quantity, followed by all-E-β-carotene and α-carotene, with 79.5, 17.6 and 1.5 % of total carotenoids, respectively. A high content of α-tocopherol (42.93 μg/g FW) and total folate (0.724 µg/g FW) was also recorded in fruits using HPLC–DAD and microbiological assay, respectively. The total lipid content of 1.79 % was recorded in fresh fruits (FW). Using GC–MS, sixteen fatty acids were identified in lipid fraction; α-linolenic acid (ALA; C18:3) was found in highest quantity (44.33 %) followed by palmitic acid (C16:0) (29.64 %), and linoleic acid (C18:2) (10.32 %). Melon fruits contain a low amount of saturated fatty acid and high-mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, in the form of ALA. Knowledge of bioactive composition in bitter melon fruit will be useful for proper diet recommendations and also for nutrient database updating.     

Carotenoid composition from the Brazilian tropical fruit camu–camu (Myrciaria dubia)

Camu–camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a small berry, native to the Amazon, known as a rich source of ascorbic acid. The carotenoid composition of this fruit was determined using high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection on C₁₈ and C₃₀ columns. Fruits produced in two different regions of São Paulo State, Iguape and Mirandópolis, were analysed. All-trans-lutein was the major carotenoid in camu–camu fruits from both regions, ranging from 45% to 55% of the total carotenoid content (160.5 ± 93.1 μg/100 g for Iguape and 601.9 ± 75.6 μg/100 g for Mirandópolis fruits), followed by β-carotene, violaxanthin and luteoxanthin. The levels of lutein, β-carotene, violaxanthin, luteoxanthin and other minor carotenoids were significantly higher in the camu–camu produced in Mirandópolis region, most probably due to the higher temperature and light exposure found in this region, in comparison to those from Iguape. Maturation was also an important feature affecting batches from the same region.     

Carotenoid composition of two Brazilian genotypes of acerola (Malpighia punicifolia L.) from two harvests

Acerola fruit is native to Central America and adapted very well to Brazil, which in turn became the major worldwide acerola producer, consumer and exporter. Two acerola genotypes were harvested from a Brazilian plantation during the 2003 and 2004 summer harvests. Both genotypes presented β-carotene (265.5–1669.4 μg/100 g), lutein (37.6–100.7 μg/100 g), β-cryptoxanthin (16.3–56.5 μg/100 g) and α-carotene (7.8–59.3 μg/100 g) as the major carotenoids. In both harvests, the β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and α-carotene levels were higher in the Olivier genotype, whereas the lutein content was higher in the Waldy Cati 30 genotype. Due to higher sunlight exposure, the fruits harvested in 2004 showed higher total carotenoid contents than those from the 2003 harvest. Acerola, especially the Olivier genotype, with 148–283 RE/100 g, can be considered as a good source of provitamin A.     

工夫红茶加工过程中类胡萝卜素成分的动态变化

采用液相色谱-串联质谱法测定工夫红茶加工在制品类胡萝卜素种类及含量,并对比分析所测类胡萝卜素组分随工夫红茶加工进程的动态变化.结果表明,工夫红茶加工在制品共检出类胡萝卜素组分24种,其中胡萝卜素类3种、叶黄素类10种、类胡萝卜素酯类11种;不同种类的类胡萝卜素在茶叶中的含量差异较大,其中以叶黄素(126.000 0±3...     

Effect of Non-Ionic Surfactants and Beta-Ionone on the Morphology of Blakeslea trispora and Carotenoids Production from Cheese Whey in Submerged Aerobic Growth: A Statistical Approach

The effect of non-ionic surfactants and β-ionone on morphology of Blakeslea trispora and carotenoids production from deproteinized hydrolyzed whey in submerged aerobic growth was investigated. Also, a central composite design was employed to determine the maximum carotenoids concentration at optimum values for the process variables (Tween 80, Span 80, β-ionone). The fit of the model was found to be good. Tween 80 and Span 80 had a strong linear effect on carotenoids production. The concentration of carotenoids was significantly affected by Tween 80 – Span 80 and Span 80 – β-ionone interactions as well as by the negative quadratic effect of β-ionone. The optimum medium composition for the maximum carotenoids production (100.0 ± 5.0 mg/g biomass dry weight) was found in deproteinized hydrolyzed whey supplemented with Tween 80 (33.6 g/L), Span 80 (68.7 g/L), and β-ionone (2.6 g/L). This result indicated that the optimization strategy led to an increase in carotenoids production by 33-fold. The carotenoids content in B. trispora were β-carotene, γ-carotene, and lycopene. The composition of carotenoids depends of the amount of nonionic surfactants and β-ionone added to the cheese whey. The medium composition influenced the morphogenesis of B. trispora and product formation. The addition of surfactants into the medium changed the morphology of the microorganism from solid aggregates to loose aggregates and resulted in a substantial increase in pigment production. B. trispora growing in submerged aerobic growth is able to develop complex morphologies which have been classified into three major groups: freely dispersed hyphae, clumps, and pellets. These parameters are responsible for the production of carotenoids.     

Studies on the usefulness of Cucurbita maxima for the production of ready-to-eat dried vegetable snacks with a high carotenoid content

Recent research indicates a beneficial influence of a diet rich in β-carotene on human health. For that reason, experiments were undertaken to process winter squash with a high carotenoid content into ready-to-eat dried snacks. Sensory quality and dietary value of chips and crispy cubes made from different cultivars were investigated.The suitability of winter squash for drying purposes depended mainly on the dry matter content in the raw material. Although all the investigated cultivars can be used for producing chips, obtaining high quality porous cubes requires at least 15% of dry matter. ‘Justynka F1’ emerged as the most suitable cultivar for processing; both chips and cubes produced from its fruits were characterized by a high sensory quality and contained significant amounts of beta-carotene (225- 253 μg g-1). Also, the cultivar ‘Amazonka’ could be considered for the production of chips as it allowed us to obtain a product with a high beta-carotene content (200 μg g-1) and good sensory properties. The dried ready-to-eat crispy vegetable snacks made from the new cultivars of winter squash could be exploited as a novel attractive product with the attractive taste and colour to serve as a valuable source of carotenoids in human diet.     

Encapsulation and Stabilization of β-Carotene in Amaranth Matrices Obtained by Dry and Wet Assisted Ball Milling

Amaranth starchy fractions have recently awakened interest from the industry, mainly due to its potential functional characteristics. The encapsulating efficiencies of starch-enriched fraction (SEF) and native starch (NS) obtained, respectively, by dry and wet assisted ball milling were studied. The effects of high impact milling, gelatin addition, and storage temperature (5–45 °C, 45 days) on the retention of β-carotene were investigated. Significant effects of both milling and amaranth protein present in SEF matrix on emulsification and subsequent retention of β-carotene were found. Ball milled SEF matrix showed the best encapsulation performance, with up to three times of total β-carotene content in comparison with the NS-containing matrices. Degradation of surface and encapsulated β-carotene followed a first-order kinetic model and was strongly influenced by storage temperature. The activation energy of surface β-carotene degradation doubled that of encapsulated β-carotene (86 vs. 48 kJ/mol, respectively). This difference indicates that encapsulated β-carotene is more stable to temperature changes than surface β-carotene and revealed the protective capability of the SEF matrix even at high temperatures. The color coordinates a* and L* for samples stored at 25 and 45 °C positively correlated with the remaining β-carotene, revealing the potentiality of color measurement as an adequate index of β-carotene retention. The starch-enriched amaranth fraction modified by high impact milling showed a high technological potential as an encapsulating agent and its own protein content served as a good emulsifier-stabilizer.     

Analysis of a complex mixture of carotenes from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) fruit extract

A carotene extract from the fruits of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) was analysed by HPLC employing a C₃₀ column for better separation efficiency. A multitude of cis-isomers of α-, β- and γ-carotene were separated. Detailed assignment was possible by subjecting pure standards of α-, β- and γ-carotene to isomerisation and comparing spectral data and order of elution to literature data. α- and β-carotene were found to be the most abundant carotenoids comprising 12.3% and 17.9%, respectively, of a (roughly) 30% oil suspension of oil palm carotenes in vegetable oil. A large proportion (about 40%) of α- and β-carotene was in the form of cis-isomers. The γ-carotene content was found to be 0.38% and other carotenes like phytoene, phytofluene, ζ-carotene, lycopene and possibly β-zeacarotene were found as well but were not quantified.     

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.