title: Isolation of carotenoids from plant materials and dietary supplements by high-speed counter-current chromatography.
abstract: Methods for the isolation of lipophilic pigments from crude extracts of plant materials (spinach and sweet corn) by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) were developed. Particular attention was given to (all-E)-lutein and (all-E)-zeaxanthin. However, the concomitant pigments neoxanthin, violaxanthin and beta-carotene as well as chlorophylls a and b were also considered. Furthermore, for the first time dietary supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin were also used as a source for the recovery of carotenoids. Due to their simple matrix (oily excipient in soft gelatine capsules), sample preparation was facilitated and consumption of solvents was minimized. The carotenoids were characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, by LC/APcI-MS in the positive ionization mode, and by UV-vis spectroscopy. Data showed that the target compounds were of high purity (90 - 93%). Lutein and zeaxanthin may be used as reference substances for analytical purposes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Technology, Section Plant Foodstuff Technology, Hohenheim University, August-von-Hartmann-Strasse 3, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aman
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carle
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Beifuss
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schieber
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003377:Countercurrent Distribution / Q000379:methods; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis*; D014975:Lutein / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D012015:Reference Standards; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D018724:Spinacia oleracea / Q000737:chemistry; D024341:Xanthophylls; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D014975:Lutein