Application of high-performance liquid chromatography to the characterization of the betalain pigments in prickly pear fruits

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A 2001-04, Vol.913 (1), p.415-420
• Main Authors: Fernández-López, José A., Almela, Luis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Betacyanins; Betalains; Betaxanthins; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical constitution; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods; Economic plant physiology; Food additives; Food industries; Fruit - chemistry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Pigments; Pigments, Biological - analysis; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
• ISSN: 0021-9673
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9673(00)01224-3

The qualitative and quantitative betalain pigment content of two cultivars of prickly pear ( Opuntia ficus-indica) fruits grown in southeastern Spain was evaluated. After methanolic extraction of crushed fruits, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection were applied simultaneously for the separation, identification and quantification of these pigments. Two main pigments were obtained, which were identified as indicaxanthin ( λ max 484 nm) and betanin ( λ max 535 nm). Spectrophotometric evaluation of both pigments showed a yield of around 20–30 mg per 100 g of fresh pulp. When the influence of temperature (25 to 90°C) on betacyanin pigment stability was investigated, the results revealed a substantial degree of thermodegradation at temperatures higher than 70°C.