Quali-Quantitative Profile of Native Carotenoids in Kumquat from Brazil by HPLC-DAD-APCI/MS

• Published in: Foods 2019-05, Vol.8 (5), p.166
• Main Authors: Pinheiro-Sant'Ana, Helena Maria, Anunciação, Pamella Cristine, Souza, Clarice Silva E, de Paula Filho, Galdino Xavier, Salvo, Andrea, Dugo, Giacomo, Giuffrida, Daniele
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: carotenes; citrus; Fortunella margarita; xanthophylls; β-citraurin-laurate; β-cryptoxanthin-laurate
• ISSN: 2304-8158; 2304-8158
• DOI: 10.3390/foods8050166

In this study the native carotenoids composition in kumquat (Fortunella margarita) (peel + pulp) from Brazil was determined for the first time by a HPLC-DAD-APCI/MS (high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry), methodology. Eleven carotenoids were successfully identified and quantified in kumquat: four carotenoids in the free form and seven carotenoids in the esterified form. β-citraurin-laurate was the carotenoid found in the highest content (607.33 µg/100 g fresh matter), followed by β-cryptoxanthin-laurate (552.59 µg/100 g). The different esterified forms of β-citraurin and β-cryptoxanthin represented 84.34% of the carotenoids found, which demonstrates the importance of esterification in natural fruits. β-carotene and free xanthophylls (β-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin) represented 5.50% and 14.96%, respectively, of total carotenoids in kumquat. The total carotenoid content of kumquat from Brazil was very high (2185.16 µg/100 g), suggesting that this fruit could contribute significantly to the intake of important bioactive compounds by the population.