The influence of environment and maturity on total carotenoids in carrots

Abstract

1. A study has been made of the effect of conditions of growing and of maturity on the concentration of total carotenoids (t.c.) in the root of the carrot, Daucus carota L.2. Carotene comprised nearly 90% of the total carotenoids in all categories of carrot roots except the very small seedlings. Hence t.c. concentration may be used as an index of carotene concentration.3. In order to develop their full t.c. concentration by autumn, carrot varieties with normal t.c. values must be sown before the end of May. High-carotene varieties must be sown at least a month earlier. ‘Stecklings’ grown from summer-sown seeds and examined in spring had only about a third of their fully mature t.c. value.

Can the Authenticity of Products be Proved by Plant Substances?

“…These influencing factors can be summarized as: heredity, maturity and environment (Booth & Dark, 1949). The effect of these factors has been tested using various experimental designs.…”

“…For the carotenoid content and the carotenoid pattern, the relationship of individual carotenoids to each other, maturity is an important factor of influence (Booth & Dark, 1949;Roux, 1965;Habben, 1972;Baranska et al, 2006). For the meta-analysis of comparison studies, maturity is thus important to take into account.…”

“…On the other hand, Beckmann & Pestemer (1975) found a lowering of the carotenoid content in connection with doses of Afalon, which became stronger with increasing fertilization. A comprehensive factor comparison has been carried out by Booth & Dark (1949). The result was that pest attacks from carrot fly larva led to slightly higher carotenoid content.…”

“…This is attributed to the fact that the larva of the carrot fly requires this phenol for the development of its cuticles (Nicholson & Hammerschmidt, 1992 Mehwald, 1965;Habben, 1972Banga & de Bruyn, 1955Mehwald, 1965;Habben, 1972Janes, 1946e.g. Roux, 1965Janes, 1946Pfiitzer & Pfaff, 1935Pollard, 1941;Habben, 1973;Scharrer & Biirke, 1953Pollard, 1941Scharrer & Biirke, 1953Scharrer & Biirke, 1953Habben, 1973Nilsson, 1979Leclerc eta/., 1991;Warman & Havard, 1997Booth & Dark, 1949Sandhu eta!., 1988Sweeney & Marsh, 1971;Lelley, 1972;Beckmann & Pestemer, 1975 The factor causes ( +) increasing carotenoid content or (-) decreasing carotenoid content. defensive capacity of a carrot variety against the carrot fly and the cholorogenic acid content in the sense of a 'defence related secondary metabolite'; on the contrary, the chlorogenic acids have an attractive function.…”

Selection of carrots for carotene content

“…According to BOOTH (2) and BOOTH and DARK (3) carotene comprises about 90 % of the total carotenoids of carrots . Only in very young, weakly coloured roots, this percentage is considerably lower .…”