title: A novel and enhanced approach for the assessment of the total carotenoid content of foods based on multipoint spectroscopic measurements.
abstract: We have devised a more sensible approach to estimate the carotenoid content of orange juices, which can be regarded as a model system of food with intricate carotenoid pattern. For this purpose spectroscopic information at several wavelengths and spectra of the juices and not from their carotenoid extracts were considered, such that more accurate and rapid quantitative assessments can be achieved. The wavelengths proposed on the basis of the characteristic vector method were 420, 455, 515, 545 and 610nm or 420, 445, 510, 545 and 605nm, depending on the measurement conditions. The correlations between the carotenoid content and the reflectances at these wavelengths were very good (R=0.94 and 0.90, respectively). Additionally, it was demonstrated that the colour of the juices could be assessed with very good accuracy considering them. Due to its simplicity and rapidity, this method is intended to facilitate the quality control of the carotenoid content of foodstuffs in the industry and/or in the field.
authors.affiliation: Food Colour & Quality Lab., Dept. of Nutrition & Food Science, Universidad de Sevilla, Facultad de Farmacia, 41012 Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Meléndez-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Lab. of Colour La Rioja, Universidad de La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.affiliation: Lab. of Colour La Rioja, Universidad de La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Echávarri
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Applied Physics, Universidad de Zaragoza, Facultad de Veterinaria, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Negueruela
authors.affiliation: Food Colour & Quality Lab., Dept. of Nutrition & Food Science, Universidad de Sevilla, Facultad de Farmacia, 41012 Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Escudero-Gilete
authors.affiliation: Food Colour & Quality Lab., Dept. of Nutrition & Food Science, Universidad de Sevilla, Facultad de Farmacia, 41012 Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: González-Miret
authors.affiliation: Food Colour & Quality Lab., Dept. of Nutrition & Food Science, Universidad de Sevilla, Facultad de Farmacia, 41012 Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Vicario
authors.affiliation: Food Colour & Quality Lab., Dept. of Nutrition & Food Science, Universidad de Sevilla, Facultad de Farmacia, 41012 Sevilla, Spain. Electronic address: heredia@us.es.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Heredia
keywords: Carotenoids; Characteristic vector; Citrus; Colour; Foods; Orange juice; Quality control; Tristimulus colorimetry