Analysis of carotenoids in ripe jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) kernel and study of their bioconversion in rats

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency is of public health importance in Sri Lanka. Carotenoids are a significant source of provitamin A. The objective of this study was to analyse the carotenoid composition of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus sinhala: Waraka) kernel using MPLC and visible spectrophotometry and to determine the bioavailability and bioconversion of carotenoids present in jackfruit kernel by monitoring (i) the growth and (ii) levels of retinol and carotenoids in the liver and serum of Wistar rats provided with jackfruit incorporated into a standard daily diet. Carotenoid pigments were extracted using petroleum ether/methanol and saponified using 10% methanolic potassium hydroxide. Six carotenoids were detected in jackfruit kernel. The carotenes β-carotene, α-carotene, β-zeacarotene, α-zeacarotene and β-carotene-5,6-epoxide and a dicarboxylic carotenoid, crocetin, were identified, corresponding theoretically to 141.6 retinol equivalents (RE) per 100 g. Our study indicated that jackfruit is a good source of provitamin A carotenoids, though not as good as papaya. Serum retinol concentrations in rats supplemented with jackfruit carotenoids were significantly higher (p = 0.008) compared with the control group. The same was true for liver retinol (p = 0.006). Quantification was carried out by RP-HPLC. These results show that the biological conversion of provitamin A in jackfruit kernel appears satisfactory. Thus increased consumption of ripe jackfruit could be advocated as part of a strategy to prevent and control vitamin A deficiency in Sri Lanka.

Carotenoid Composition of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Determined by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS

“…However, in these works, the above described minimum criteria were not fulfilled and the carotenoid identification was solely based on the elution order on the chromatographic system, UV-visible spectra characteristics and sometimes chemical reactions. This identification procedure resulted on the identification of crocetin, among other carotenoids, in jackfruit [14]. However, up to now, crocetin and its derivatives were only found in saffron and gardenia [15,16].…”

“…According to a literature search, the major carotenoids from jackfruit were determined by open column or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [12][13][14]. However, in these works, the above described minimum criteria were not fulfilled and the carotenoid identification was solely based on the elution order on the chromatographic system, UV-visible spectra characteristics and sometimes chemical reactions.…”

A Simple Chromatographic (HPLC) Method for the Determination of β- Carotene Contents in Inbred Maize Genotypes

“…Results show that these residues could be a significant source of vitamin A in both conventional foods and dietary supplements. People with high dietary intake of beta-carotene or high blood levels of this nutrient have a reduced risk of various diseases, including cancer and heart diseases (Chandrika et al, 2005).…”

Changes in Soluble Sugar Accumulation and Activities of Sucrose-Metabolizing Enzymes during Fruit Ripening of Jackfruit

“…Previous studies have examined the free sugar distribution and compositions of fatty acids (Chowdhury, Raman, & Mian, 1997), carbohydrates (Rahman, Nahar, Jabbar, & Mosihuzzaman, 1999), aroma volatiles (Swords, Bobbio, & Hunter, 1978;Rasmussen, 1983;K. Wong, Lim, & L. Wong, 1992;Maia, Andrade, & Zoghbi, 2004), carotenoids and phenolics (Chandrika, Jansz, & Warnasuriya, 2005;Jayasinghe, Rupasinghe, Hara, & Fujimoto, 2006;Faria, Rosso, & Mercadante, 2009) from fruits of different jackfruit varieties, as well as antioxidant capacity and phenol content in jackfruit fruit pulp (Jagtap, Panaskar, & Bapat, 2010). For example, an early study found little changes in fruit total acidity during ripening (Bhatia, Siddapa, & Lal, 1955).…”