title: Changes in carotenoids during processing and storage of pumpkin puree.
abstract: Changes in the contents of carotenoids and their true retentions (% TR) during the production of puree of Cucurbita moschata 'Menina Brasileira' and of Cucurbita maxima 'Exposição' pumpkins and the stability of such compounds during 180days of storage were monitored by liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector. Cooking caused higher losses than commercial sterilisation. High losses of xanthophylls such as lutein and violaxanthin were noted during processing and storage of pumpkin puree. Such losses show the low stability of these compounds. The major carotenoids, pro-vitamin A carotenes, namely, α-carotene and all-trans-β-carotene for C. moschata 'Menina Brasileira' and all-trans-β-carotene for C. maxima 'Exposição' obtained high retentions (>75%) after processing. A slight degree of isomerisation of β-carotene was noted in the puree samples, but with low concentrations of cis-isomers. Storage for 180days did not significantly affect (P⩽0.05) the concentrations of these carotenoids.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Food Science and Technology, Laboratory of Fruits and Vegetables, Rodovia Admar Gonzaga 1.346, 88034-001 Florianopolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Gustavo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Provesi
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Food Science and Technology, Laboratory of Fruits and Vegetables, Rodovia Admar Gonzaga 1.346, 88034-001 Florianopolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolinne Odebrecht
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Food Science and Technology, Laboratory of Fruits and Vegetables, Rodovia Admar Gonzaga 1.346, 88034-001 Florianopolis, SC, Brazil. Electronic address: eamante@cca.ufsc.br.
authors.forename: Edna Regina
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Amante
keywords: Carotenoids; Processing; Pumpkin puree; Stability; Storage