title: Simple saponification method for the quantitative determination of carotenoids in green vegetables.
abstract: A simple, reliable, and gentle saponification method for the quantitative determination of carotenoids in green vegetables was developed. The method involves an extraction procedure with acetone and the selective removal of the chlorophylls and esterified fatty acids from the organic phase using a strongly basic resin (Ambersep 900 OH). Extracts from common green vegetables (beans, broccoli, green bell pepper, chive, lettuce, parsley, peas, and spinach) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for their content of major carotenoids before and after action of Ambersep 900 OH. The mean recovery percentages for most carotenoids [(all-E)-violaxanthin, (all-E)-lutein epoxide, (all-E)-lutein, neolutein A, and (all-E)-beta-carotene] after saponification of the vegetable extracts with Ambersep 900 OH were close to 100% (99-104%), while the mean recovery percentages of (9'Z)-neoxanthin increased to 119% and that of (all-E)-neoxanthin and neolutein B decreased to 90% and 72%, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Aarslev, Kirstinebjergvej 10, DK-5792 Aarslev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Lars P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis*; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004952:Esters / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013343:Styrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004952:Esters; D005227:Fatty Acids; D013343:Styrenes; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; D002734:Chlorophyll; D002338:Carotenoids; C004985:divinyl benzene