Identification and quantification of the native carotenoid composition in fruits from the Brazilian Amazon by HPLC–DAD–APCI/MS (original) (raw)

2019, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis

In this study the native carotenoid composition of previously uninvestigated fruits from the Brazilian Amazon was determined; marirana (Couepia subcordata Benth.), inajá (Maximiliana maripa) and caranã (Mauritiella armata) were analyzed by an HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology. Three carotenoids were identified in marirana pulp, all-trans-α-carotene (6407 ± 380 μg 100 g −1 , fresh weight) and all-trans-β-carotene (6331 ± 410 μg 100 g −1 , fresh weight) being the two major carotenoids, followed by zeaxanthin dilaurate (1061 ± 80 μg 100 g −1 , fresh weight). Only β-carotene was found in inajá pulp (1371 ± 370 μg 100 g −1 , fresh weight). In caranã pulp, four carotenoids were identified, all-trans-β-carotene being the most predominant (373 ± 80 μg 100 g −1 , fresh matter), followed by all-trans-α-carotene (230 ± 60 μg 100 g −1 , fresh weight), lutein (198 ± 40 μg 100 g −1 , fresh weight) and 9-cis-β-carotene (111 ± 30 μg 100 g −1 , fresh weight). The cultivation and consumption of these fruits should be encouraged, since they could contribute to the intake of important carotenoids that could have beneficial effects on human health.