Analysis of xanthophylls in corn by HPLC.
An HPLC method was developed using the C-30 carotenoid column to separate and identify the major xanthophylls in corn (lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin). A photodiode array detector and a mobile phase consisting of methyl tert-butyl ether/methanol/water was used. All three xanthophylls eluted in less than 25 min. Yellow dent corn had a total xanthophyll content of 21.97 microg/g with lutein content of 15.7 microg/g, zeaxanthin content of 5.7 microg/g, and beta-cryptoxanthin of 0.57 microg/g. Commercial corn gluten meal had a 7 times higher concentration of xanthophylls (145 microg/g), and deoiled corn contained 18 microg/g, indicating that the xanthophylls are probably bound to the zein fraction of corn proteins.
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000737:chemistry; D065366:Cryptoxanthins; D007178:Inbreeding; D014975:Lutein / Q000032:analysis; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000032:analysis*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis
D065366:Cryptoxanthins; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D003314:Corn Oil; D014975:Lutein