Total Lutein Research Articles

In vitro andin situ disappearance of ?-carotene and lutein from lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay in bovine and caprine ruminal fluids

Two experiments were conducted to determine the rumen fluid disappearance rates (kd) of β-carotene, lutein, total carotene and total xanthophyll from lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay, in two ruminant species: Brahman steers (fat-pigmenting) and Granadine goats (non-pigmenting). Within species, the in vitro and the in situ methods were compared. The concentration of carotenoid compounds was determined by spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography. The in vitro disappearance trends were linear for all compounds (P<0.01). β-carotene kd were 0.13 and 0.37; lutein, 0.20 and 0.25; total carotene, 0.20 and 0.62 and total xanthophyll, 0.30 and 0.77 h −1 for steers and goats, respectively. The in situ disappearance trends were quadratic (P<0.01). Dry matter kd were 1.9 and 1.5% h−1; cellular content, 2.0 and 2.3; β-carotene, 2.5 and 1.2; lutein, 2.5 and 1.5; total carotene, 2.2 and 1.0 and total xanthophyll, 2.1 and 1.1% h−1 for steers and goats, respectively. The large disappearance rates of carotenoids observed in the in situ method vs the virtual absence of disappearance in the in vitro method in both species, can be related to the dry matter and cellular content kd. These results suggest that carotenoids disappear probably by joining the cellular content and not by their direct destruction or by attack from the ruminal microorganisms, and the ruminal disappearance is independent of the species studied. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry

Differential response of domestic and wild Lycopersicon species to chilling under low light: growth, carbohydrate content, photosynthesis and the xanthophyll cycle

The response of five Lycopersicon species to 14 days moderate chilling at 10°C under low light (75 μmol m−2 s−1) and subsequent recovery was examined by measurements on relative shoot growth rate, leaf dry matter and carbohydrate content, CO2‐exchange and pigment composition. In addition, the susceptibility to dark chilling and temperature dependence of chloroplast electron transport were analyzed by Chl a fluorescence measurements. During 7 days of recovery at 25/20°C subsequent to chilling, the domestic tomato Lycopersiconesculentum (L.) Mill. cv. Abunda exhibited a small capacity for shoot regrowth (39%) compared to the low‐altitude wild species L. pimpinellifolium (Jusl.) Mill. PI187002 (82%) and three wild species originating from high altitude: L. peruvianum Mill. LA 385 (92%), L. hirsutum Humb. &amp; Bonpl. LA 1777 (67%) and L. chilense Dunn. LA 1970 (71%). The inter‐specific differences in chilling sensitivity at the chloroplast level, analyzed by the decline of the maximum rate of induced Chl fluorescence rise (FR) after 40 h at 0°C and the temperature at which qP reached the value 0.5, correlated in general well with the measured differences at whole plant level, measured by the post‐chilling regrowth capacity. Chilling resulted in a larger increase in leaf dry matter content in L. esculentum (45%) and L. pimpinellifolium (37%) compared to the high‐altitude species (13–16%), which could be attributed to a stronger accumulation of both soluble sugars and starch in mature leaves of the domestic and low‐altitude species. Photosynthetic and dark respiration rates during chilling could not account for this difference. The recovery of photosynthesis was better in the high‐altitude species. Chl content per unit leaf area decreased more throughout the experiment in the domestic and low‐altitude species (63–73%) than in their relatives from high altitude (8–29%). In response to chilling, the domestic and low‐altitude species showed an increase in the total xanthophyll cycle pool on Chl basis, whereas the de‐epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle increased in the high‐altitude wild species. Both responses resulted in increased zeaxanthin levels in chilled leaves of all Lycopersicon species.

緑色系，黄色系キウイフルーツ果実の発育および貯蔵中のクロロフィル，カロテノイド色素

Pigment compositions in green- and yellow-fleshed kiwifruit during fruit development and storage were investigated by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total chlorophyll content in the green-fleshed 'Hayward' was higher than that of yellow-fleshed 'Golden King'. At the beginning of the fruit developmental stage, total chlorophyll contents were 35a45 μg/g in 'Hayward' and 11a13 μg/g in 'Golden King', but they decreased with fruit development to 28a31 μg/g in 'Hayward' and to 5a8 μg/g in 'Golden King' at harvest. The chlorophyll contents of 'Hayward', 'Bruno', 'Golden King', and 'Yellow Queen' decreased gradually during storage. At harvest, total xanthophyll content was 6a8 μg/g in 'Hayward' and 0.8a1.0 μg/g in 'Golden King', whereas β-carotene content was 0.9a1.1 μg/g in 'Hayward' and 0.2a0.4 μg/g in 'Golden King'. These levels also decreased during storage. Of the xanthophylls, the oxygenated carotenoids, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein epoxide, and lutein were detected. The only non-oxygenated carotenoid present in this fruit was β-carotene at a very low level in each culivar, especially in the yellow-fleshed fruit. Levels of 9-cis-β-carotene were higher than those of 13-cis+15-cis-β-carotene.

Influence of photosynthetic photon flux densities before and during long‐term chilling on xanthophyll cycle and chlorophyll fluorescence quenching in leaves of tomato (Lycopersicon hirsutum)

A high‐altitude ecotype of tomato (Lycopersicon hirsutum f. typicum Humb. and Bonpl.) has previously been shown to resist further loss of photosynthetic function after three to four days of chilling stress. This study examined the influence of PPFD prior to, and during chilling on the development of protective zeaxanthin and energy‐dependent quenching mechanisms in this ecotype. Five‐week‐old tomato plants were acclimated to either low PPFD (60 μmol m−2 s−1) or high PPFD (550 μmol m−2 S−1) at 25/20°C (day/night) for three days, and then exposed to a temperature of 5/5°C and a PPFD of either 60 or 550 μmol m−2 s−1 for three days. The plants acclimated to low PPFD had lower Chl a/b ratio, and lower level of total Chl per leaf area, total xanthophyll cycle pool and β‐carotene. The capacity of their photosynthetic system to resist photoinhibition and to recover photosynthetic function was also lower compared to that of the plants acclimated at high PPFD but exposed to the same chilling stress. In the plants chilled at low PPFD, energy‐dependent quenching preceded the formation of zeaxanthin on the first day of chilling and there was an overall reduction in the conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin as compared to the plants chilled at high PPFD. During the last day of chilling‐induced photoinhibition, energy‐dependent quenching in any of the treatments did not increase, but zeaxanthin levels increased continuously throughout the three days of chilling. Our results suggest that light‐acclimation before chilling affects the capacity of the plants to resist chilling‐induced photoinhibition. In addition, photoinhibitory quenching appears to be a major component for quenching excessive energy at the latter stage of long‐term chilling.

Enhanced Employment of the Xanthophyll Cycle and Thermal Energy Dissipation in Spinach Exposed to High Light and N Stress.

The involvement of the xanthophyll cycle in photoprotection of N-deficient spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv Nobel) was investigated. Spinach plants were fertilized with 14 mM nitrate (control, high N) versus 0.5 mM (low N) fertilizer, and grown under both high- and low-light conditions. Plants were characterized from measurements of photosynthetic oxygen exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, as well as carotenoid and cholorophyll analysis. Compared with the high-N plants, the low-N plants showed a lower capacity for photosynthesis and a lower chlorophyll content, as well as a lower rate of photosystem II photosynthetic electron transport and a corresponding increase in thermal energy dissipation activity measured as nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching. The low-N plants displayed a greater fraction of the total xanthophyll cycle pool as zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin at midday, and an increase in the ratio of xanthophyll cycle pigments to total chlorophyll. These results indicate that under N limitation both the light-collecting system and the photosynthetic rate decrease. However, the increased dissipation of excess energy shows that there is excess light absorbed at midday. We conclude that spinach responds to N limitation by a combination of decreased light collection and increased thermal dissipation involving the xanthophyll cycle.

The absence of photoinhibition during the mid-morning depression of photosynthesis in Vitis vinifera grown in semi-arid and temperate climates

Fernao Pires and Pinot noir grapevines were grown in field-sites in Lisbon and Versailles respectively. The grapevines at the Versailles site were grown in pots in artificial media while the vines in Lisbon were grown in soil in the field. A substantial inhibition of net CO2 assimilation from mid-morning onwards was observed at both sites. Prior to the period of measurement the Lisbon site had received no rain for 45 days but the Versailles vines were watered twice a day. In neither case was there any evidence to suggest that substantial photoinhibition was occurring during the photoperiod. The Fv/Fm ratio was relatively constant from dawn until dusk. The foliar zeaxanthin content showed a marked diurnal variation with maximum values obtained at midday and at minimum values at dawn and dusk. Interestingly, the total xanthophyll pool was greater in the leaves of Versailles vines than the Lisbon site. The maximum zeaxanthin levels of the former at midday were three times those of the latter. The foliar pools of ascorbate and glutathione either remained constant or increased slighdy from dawn to dusk. The pools of glycine and serine in the leaves declined from mid-morning onwards at both sites but the ratio of 3-PGA/triosephosphates remained constant throughout the photoperiod. This implies that energy supply and utilisation in the leaves were well-balanced throughout the photoperiod despite the decrease in CO2 assimilation. We conclude that similar strategies for the regulation of the photosynthetic apparatus occurred in both cases. This afforded effective protection against photoinhibition. Even though the vines grown in Lisbon were subjected to a significant period of drought they exhibited lower levels of stress-indicating substances particularly proline and zeaxanthin than the vine leaves grown in Versailles. We are drawn to the conclusion that vines grown in pots with the resultant restriction on root growth suffer greater stress than the field-grown vines. The cooler growth conditions encountered in Versailles may be suboptimal for grapevines and, hence, add additional stress factors.

Fluctuations in algal chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments during solar bleaching in the coral Goniastrea aspera at Phuket, Thailand

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 159:303-307 (1997) - doi:10.3354/meps159303 Fluctuations in algal chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments during solar bleaching in the coral Goniastrea aspera at Phuket, Thailand I. Ambarsari1,*, B. E. Brown1, R. G. Barlow2, G. Britton3, D. Cummings2 1Department of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management, Ridley Building, University of Newcastle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom 2Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe PL1 3DH, United Kingdom 3School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, PO Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom *E-mail: ireng.ambarsari@newcastle.ac.uk HPLC analysis of pigments of the symbiotic algae of the coral Goniastrea aspera (Verrill) showed the presence of the chlorophylls a and c2 (chl a and c2) and the carotenoids peridinin, diadinoxanthin, diatoxanthin and β-carotene. Increased production of diatoxanthin was seen in algae extracted from the western surfaces of corals, exposed to high levels of solar radiation, during a solar bleaching event. In addition, an increase in the ratio of diatoxanthin to the total xanthophyll pool was observed in bleached tissues, together with a progressive increase in the total xanthophyll pool (relative to total chlorophyll levels) over the bleaching period. These results support a potential photoprotective function for xanthophylls in the coral/algal symbiosis. Chlorophyll breakdown products, phaeophytin a and pyrophaeophytin a, were recognised in considerable quantities only in bleached tissues. Computation of a simple chlorophyll budget showed that 45% of chl a was lost in partially bleached tissues and approximately 62% in fully bleached tissues, indicating a very rapid photodegradation of chlorophyll 24 h after exposure to high irradiance. Symbiotic algae · Pigments · Xanthophylls · Coral · Bleaching Full text in pdf format PreviousExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 159. Publication date: November 29, 1997 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 1997 Inter-Research.

Changes in Carotenoids and Their Fatty Acid Esters in Banana Peel during Ripening.

Changes in carotenoids and their fatty acid esters in banana peel during ripening were investigated using a combination of an alumina column and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The level of total carotenoids decreased during the early stage of ripening but recovered again to the level of green fruit. Carotenoids belonging to both the α- and β-carotene categories decreased in the early stage of ripening, then the α-carotene category, especially lutein, increased significantly, but not the β-carotene category. Because the amount of α-cryptoxanthin was quite small, the process of hydroxylation of α-carotene to lutein, where α-cryptoxanthin was the intermediate product, seemed to occur quickly. Free lutein was easily esterified to lutein monoester and then was gradually further esterified to lutein diester; the amount of free, monoester and diester of lutein was about 20, 60 and 20% of total lutein, respectively after 4 days' storage. A small amount of isolutein, which is an epoxy of lutein, was observed and all isolutein was in the monoester form after 4 days' storage, but no diester form was detected.

Correlation of HPLC and AOAC Methods to Assess the All-trans-Lutein Content in Marigold Flowers

A reversed-phase C30 high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to separate the lutein isomers of marigold flowers. The pigments were extracted from marigold meal by an Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) modified method. The unsaponified extract showed the presence of several lutein ester isomers and after saponification four major lutein isomers were detected. The relationship between all-trans-lutein, assessed by HPLC, and total xanthophylls, assessed by AOAC, was determined. A regression equation, with a high correlation coefficient (r2=0·972), which allows for the calculation of all-trans-lutein from total xanthophylls content is proposed.

Correlation of HPLC and AOAC Methods to Assess the All-trans-Lutein Content in Marigold Flowers

A reversed-phase C30 high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to separate the lutein isomers of marigold flowers. The pigments were extracted from marigold meal by an Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) modified method. The unsaponified extract showed the presence of several lutein ester isomers and after saponification four major lutein isomers were detected. The relationship between all-trans-lutein, assessed by HPLC, and total xanthophylls, assessed by AOAC, was determined. A regression equation, with a high correlation coefficient (r2=0·972), which allows for the calculation of all-trans-lutein from total xanthophylls content is proposed.

Light response of D1 turnover and photosystem II efficiency in the seagrassZostera capricorni

Biochemical and biophysical parameters, including D1-protein turnover, chlorophyll fluorescence, oxygen evolution activity and zeaxanthin formation were measured in the marine seagrassZostera capricorni (Aschers) in response to limiting (100 μmol·m−2·−1), saturating (350 μmol·m−2·s−1) or photoinhibitory (1100 μmol·m−2·s−1) irradiances. Synthesis of D1 was maximal at 350 μmol·m−2·s−1 which was also the irradiance at which the rate of photosynthetic O2 evolution was maximal. Degradation of D1 was saturated at 350 μmol·m−2·s−1. The rate of D1 synthesis at 1100 μmol·m−2·s−1 was very similar to that at 350 μmol·m−2·s−1 for the first 90 min but then declined. At limiting or saturating irradiance little change was observed in the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence (Fv/Fm) measured after dark adaptation of the leaves, while significant photoinhibition occurred at 1100 μmol·m−2·s−1. The proportion of zeaxanthin in the total xanthophyll pool increased with increasing irradiance, indicative of the presence of a photoprotective xanthophyll cycle in this seagrass. These results are consistent with a high level of regulatory D1 turnover inZostera under non-photoinhibitory irradiance conditions, as has been found previously for terrestrial plants.

Growth Performance, Carcass Composition, and Pigmentation of Broilers Fed Supplemental Nickel

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of supplemental Ni on growth performance, carcass composition, and pigmentation of broilers. In Experiment 1, female broilers (n = 120) were housed in individual cages from 21 to 49 d of age and fed a commercial finisher diet that contained 2.4 ± .1 ppm Ni. Supplementation of this diet with 6 or 12 ppm NiCl2 did not affect growth performance or carcass composition. In Experiment 2, female broilers (n = 60) housed in individual cages were fed finisher diets with 44 or 77 ppm xanthophyll and 0 or 12 ppm supplemental NiCl2. Growth performance from 21 to 49 d of age was not altered by diet. At 49 d of age, serum xanthophyll concentration as well as amount of lutein and total xanthophylls in skin were higher (P ≤ .01) in broilers fed 77 ppm xanthophyll. Supplemental NiCl2 decreased (P ≤ .1) yellow color of carcasses from broilers fed 44 ppm xanthophyll and increased yellow color of carcasses from broilers fed 77 ppm xanthophyll. Abdominal fat yields and concentration of total xanthophylls in skin followed a similar pattern, suggesting that supplemental NiCl2 may have indirectly influenced pigmentation by altering fat deposition. These data indicated that an adequate level of Ni was present in the basal diet to promote optimal growth performance and carcass quality.

Occurrence of the carotenoid lactucaxanthin in higher plant LHC II

The pigment composition of the light-harvesting complexes of Photosystem II (LHC II) has been determined for lettuce (Lactuca sativa). In common with other members of the composite, the photosynthetic tissues of this species may contain large amounts of the carotenoid lactucaxanthin (ε, ε-carotene-3,3'-diol) in addition to their normal compliment of carotenoids. The occurrence and distribution of lactucaxanthin in LHC II has been examined using isoelectric focusing of BBY particles followed by reversed-phase HPLC analysis of the pigments. The major carotenoids detected in LHC IIb, LHC IIa (CP29) and LHC IIc (CP26) purified from dark-adapted lettuce were lutein, violaxanthin, neoxanthin and lactucaxanthin. Lactucaxanthin has been shown to be a major component of PS II, accounting for ∼26% of total xanthophyll in both LHC IIb (∼23% total xanthophyll) and in the minor complexes (12-16%). In this study, LHC IIb was clearly resolved into four bands and their carotenoid composition determined. These four bands proved to be very similar in their pigment content and composition, although the relative amounts of neoxanthin and lutein in particular were found to increase from bands 1 to 4 (i.e. with increasing electrophoretic mobility). The operation of the xanthophyll cycle has also been examined in the LHC of L. sativa following light treatment. The conversion efficiency for violaxanthin→zeaxanthin was nearly identical for each light-harvesting complex examined at 58-61%. Nearly half of the zeaxanthin formed in PS II was associated with LHC IIb, although the molar ratio of zeaxanthin:chlorophyll a was highest in the minor LHC.

Carotenoids in the eyespot apparatus of the flagellate green alga Spermatozopsis similis: Adaptation to the retinal-based photoreceptor

Isolated intact eyespot apparatuses, the photoreceptive organelles involved in blue-light-mediated photoresponses of flagellate green algae, were analyzed regarding their carotenoid composition. Carotenoids from the eyespot apparatuses of Spermatozopsis similis were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, visible-light absorption spectra, mass spectroscopy and by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (carotenes), and compared with those of whole-cell extracts. Both extracts contained β,β-carotene, β,ψ-carotene (formerly γ-carotene), lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin and all-E-and 9′-Z-neoxanthin. The relative carotenoid compositions, however, differed significantly. A twofold relative increase in the total carotene level was evident in the fraction enriched in eyespot apparatuses. This was mainly due to an increase in the monocyclic β,ψ-carotene and the aliphatic lycopene, whereas the relative content of β,β-carotene remained unchanged. On the other hand a relative decrease in the total xanthophyll content, especially of lutein and the epoxidic carotenoid neoxanthin, was observed in the eyespot apparatuses compared with the whole-cell extracts. The decrease of the latter resulted almost solely from a reduction of the 9′-Z-rather than the all-E-isomer. The bulk of the carotenes is thought to be localized in the highly organized eyespot lipid globules, which act as a combined quarter-wave interference reflector and absorption screen for the photoreceptor in green algae. The enrichment of β,ψ-carotene and lycopene in the eyespot apparatuses, extending the range of visible light absorption to longer wavelengths, represents an adaptation of the screen to the retinal-based photoreceptor of flagellate green algae and is one of the prerequisites for maximal directional sensitivity of the eyespot apparatus.

Relationships between carotenoid composition and growth habit in British plant species

ABSTRACTThe pigment composition of leaves from a number of different plant species collected from field sites in the region of Sheffield, UK, have been compared using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Expression of pigment content per unit leaf area was dominated by variation in the total leaf chlorophyll. Neither chlorophyll per unit area nor the chlorophyll a/b ratio were found to be correlated with the habitat from which the plants originated. When the amounts of different carotenoids were expressed relative to the total carotenoid pool, it was found that whilst neither total carotene (α‐ +β‐carotene) nor neoxanthin correlated with ability to grow in shade, the leaf content of both lutein and the total xanthophyll cycle carotenoids (zeaxanthin, anther‐axanthin and violaxanthin) did, with lutein content being high in shade species and xanthophyll cycle intermediates low. There was a strong negative correlation between the relative amounts of each of these groups of carotenoids. The ratio of lutein to xanthophyll cycle carotenoids was strongly correlated to an index of shade tolerance.

Carotenoid composition and metabolism in green and blue-green algal lichens in the field.

The carotenoid composition of 33 species of green algal lichens and 5 species of blue-green algal lichens was examined and compared with that of the leaves of higher plants. As in higher plants, green algal lichen species which were found in both shade and full sunlight exhibited higher levels of the carotenoids involved in photoprotective thermal energy dissipation (zeaxanthin as well as the total xanthophyll cycle pool) in the sun than in the shade. This was particularly true when thalli were moist during exposure to high light, or presumably became desiccated in full sunlight. However, the reverse trend in the carotenoid composition of green algal lichens was also observed in those species which were found predominantly either in the shade or in full sunlight. In this case sun-exposed lichens often possessed lower levels of zeaxanthin and of the components of the xanthophyll cycle than lichens which were found in the shade. In contrast to higher plants, the lichens from all habitats exhibited a relatively high ratio of carotenoids to chlorophylls (more characteristic of sun leaves), very low levels of α-carotene (similar to that found in sun leaves), and a level of β-carotene similar to that found in shade leaves. Zeaxanthin, but not the expoxides of the xanthophyll cycle, was also frequently found in blue-green algal lichens. A trend for increasing levels of zeaxanthin with increasing growth light regime was observed inPeltigera rufescens, the species which was found to occur over the widest range of light environments. The level of zeaxanthin per chlorophylla in these blue-green algal lichens was in a range similar to that per chlorophylla+b in green algal lichens. However, zeaxanthin was also absent in one species,Collema cristatum, in full sunlight. Thus, the zeaxanthin content of the blue-green algal lichens can be similar to that of higher plants, or it can be rather dissimilar, as was also the case in the green algal lichen species. The presence of large amounts of ketocarotenoids in blue-green algal lichens is also noteworthy.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Two Antioxidants in a Broiler Type Diet

The efficacy of the antioxidant products Termox and Santoquin was tested in broiler feed stored under simulated field conditions in the summer in Texas. The feed was made with unstabilized vegetable oil (40% polyunsaturated) containing either no antioxidants, Termox added at 125 mg/kg, or Santoquin added at 125 mg/kg active ingredient. The feed was distributed equally among six galvanized metal cans which were placed outside for 42 days during the summer. The feed was sampled weekly for determination of peroxides, malonaldehyde (TBA assay), trans-lutein, and total xanthophyll pigments. Feeds treated with Termox and Santoquin showed equal and significantly lower lipid oxidation compared to the control feed.

37] Simultaneous quantitation and separation of carotenoids and retinol in human milk by high-performance liquid chromatography

This chapter discusses methods for separation, determination, and quantitation of the major carotenoids (and retinol) in mature breast milk. Two methods are presented in the chapter: (1) a saponification procedure that converts all the retinyl esters to free retinol, facilitating the simultaneous quantitation of total retinol and β-carotene and (2) a saponification procedure for the separation and quantitation of the more labile carotenoids α-carotene and lycopene. Carotenoids have received the attention of researchers in various fields because of the role carotenoids play as precursors of retinol, as antioxidants, and as effectors of immune function. The effects of β -carotene on the immune system is of particular importance to infants, as these infants rely almost entirely on breast milk as a source of nutrients. This chapter presents two sample preparation methods for the analysis of carotenoids and retinol in mature breast milk by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): (1) a method for the simultaneous analysis of retinol and β-carotene and (2) a method for the analysis of the more labile carotenoids, such as lycopene and α-carotene. These methods can reproduce quantitate β carotene, α-carotene, lycopene, and lutein. Depending on the HPLC system utilized, total xanthophylls can be further separated, generating values for β -cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin.

The Xanthophylls of Spirulina and Their Effect on Egg Yolk Pigmentation ,

The carotenoid composition of the blue-green algae spirulina (Spirulina platensis) was determined using HPLC. Freeze-dried spirulina had a total xanthophyll concentration of 5,787 mg/kg.Adult Japanese quail were fed a pigment-free basal diet for 4 wk. Diets containing graded levels of freeze-dried spirulina between .25 and 4.0% were then fed for 21 days. Yolk color was determined using the Roche color fan. Spirulina at 1.0% of the diet provided optimum pigmentation in a diet otherwise free of xanthophylls.

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

ABSTRACTCarotenoid 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.