| Abstract: | a-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein content of fruits in53 citrus cultivars were determined using HPLC. In both peel and pulp of citrus fruit, the major carotenoidswere lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin. β-carotene content was relatively low and extremely low was theamount of or-carotene. Among the 53 cultivars tested, lycopene was detected only in pulp of Cara Cara navelorange. Carotenoid content in both peel and pulp of citrus fruit was the highest in Citrus reticulata Blanco andlowest in Citrus grandis Osbeck. Consequently, as far as the health protection value is considered, fruit ofCitrus reticulata Blanco ranks probably higher than other citrus fruits. In fruit of most Citrus retieulatavarities, β-cryptoxanthin was the main carotenoid component in pulp and its amount approximated that of lu-tein in peel. Content of lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin in peel was about 2.5 - 15 times that in pulp onthe basis of fresh weight. Thus peel was inferred to be the principal location for the carotenoid stock in citrus fruit. |
