Carotenoids Determination, Influence on the Estimation of β-Carotene by Other Carotenoids in Butternut Squashes at Harvest and during Storage

Pigments in Vegetables

“…During storage of Butternut squash the changes of carotenoids other than l3-carotene were followed for the first time (Lewis and Merrow, 1962). The general increasing trend was observed in a-and l3-carotene, being even more pronounced for the hydroxy carotenoid fraction, which increased from 9 to 21.4 ILg (g fresh Wt)-I.…”

“…In six varieties of winter squashes the l3-carotene content at harvest was 4 to 29 JLg (g fresh wt)-I (Hopp et al, 1960). Other carotenoids then were determined (Lewis and Merrow, 1962). The carotenoids of Butternut squash were separated into three fractions: hydrocarbons, monohydroxy carotenoids, and polyhydroxy carotenoids.…”

Vegetables and Vegetable Products

“…Lewis and Merrow (1962) reported preliminary findings in which 'chiefly' beta-carotene, and no alpha-carotene, was found in, the carotene fractions of Baby Blue, Silver Bell, and Sweet Meat. Lewis and Merrow (1962) reported preliminary findings in which 'chiefly' beta-carotene, and no alpha-carotene, was found in, the carotene fractions of Baby Blue, Silver Bell, and Sweet Meat.…”

“…As esterified xanthophylls are less polar than free xanthophylls and tend to fractionate with carotenes, saponification is a necessary step for accurate measurement of provitamin A carotenoid content (Lewis and Merrow 1962;Schaffer et al 1986;Hidaka et al 1987;Arima and Rodriguez-Amaya 1988). Cut pieces of convenient size from different parts of the fruit are used to overcome the possibility that various parts of the fruit might differ in carotenoid content.…”

“…Lee et al (1984) observed that approximately 85% of the carotene content was beta-carotene in NK 530 and Golden Delicious. In C. moschata Butternut and Menina Verde, beta-carotene was approximately 55% of the total carotene (Lewis and Merrow 1962;Arima and Rodriguez-Amaya 1988) and, in a Japanese accession, it was 80% of the total carotene content (Hidaka et al 1987). Hidaka et al (1987) observed 93% betacarotene of total carotene in their accession of C. maxima.…”