Comparative study on the carotenoid composition of the peel and the pulp of different citrus species

The carotenoid compositions of the peel and the pulp of various citrus fruits were compared with HPLC methods using C 18 and C30 columns. The extracts usually contain beta-cryptoxanthin and lutein in considerable amounts and in all species except lime, the red apocarotenoid beta-citraurin as well. In case of lime and mandarin the carotenoid compositions of peel and pulp show a good coincidence while in orange, clementine, grapefruit, lemon and kumquat there are a lot more differences. Lime extracts contain practically only two carotenoids: beta-carotene and lutein. The carotenoid components of the saponified extracts of kumquat were separated on calcium carbonate columns and were investigated in detail. The components were identified with HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.