Determination of astaxanthin in Haematococcus pluvialis by first-order derivative spectrophotometry.
A highly selective, convenient, and precise method, first-order derivative spectrophotometry, was applied for the determination of astaxanthin in Haematococcus pluvialis. Ethyl acetate and ethanol (1:1, v/v) were found to be the best extraction solvent tested due to their high efficiency and low toxicity compared with nine other organic solvents. Astaxanthin coexisting with chlorophyll and beta-carotene was analyzed by first-order derivative spectrophotometry in order to optimize the conditions for the determination of astaxanthin. The results show that when detected at 432 nm, the interfering substances could be eliminated. The dynamic linear range was 2.0-8.0 microg/mL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9916. The detection threshold was 0.41 microg/mL. The RSD for the determination of astaxanthin was in the range of 0.01-0.06%; the results of recovery test were 98.1-108.0%. The statistical analysis between first-order derivative spectrophotometry and HPLC by T-testing did not exceed their critical values, revealing no significant differences between these two methods. It was proved that first-order derivative spectrophotometry is a rapid and convenient method for the determination of astaxanthin in H. pluvialis that can eliminate the negative effect resulting from the coexistence of astaxanthin with chlorophyll and beta-carotene.
South China Agricultural University, College of Food Science, PO Box 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. liuxj@scau.edu.cn
Xiao Juan
XJ
Liu
Liu Xiao
LX
Juan
Ying Hua
YH
Wu
Wu Ying
WY
Hua
Li Chao
LC
Zhao
Zhao Li
ZL
Chao
Su Yao
SY
Xiao
Xiao Su
XS
Yao
Ai Mei
AM
Zhou
Zhou Ai
ZA
Mei
Xin
X
Liu
Liu
L
Xin
D000085:Acetates; D002734:Chlorophyll; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D000431:Ethanol; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction / Q000379:methods; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000032:analysis; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000032:analysis; D019207:beta Carotene
D000085:Acetates; D014815:Vitamins; D024341:Xanthophylls; D019207:beta Carotene; D002734:Chlorophyll; D000431:Ethanol; C007650:ethyl acetate; C005948:astaxanthine