Carotenoid composition from the Brazilian tropical fruit camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia)

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a small berry, native to the Amazon, known as a rich source of ascorbic acid. The carotenoid composition of this fruit was determined using high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection on C-18 and C-30 columns. Fruits produced in two different regions of Sao Paulo State, Iguape and Mirandopolis, were analysed. All-trans-lutein was the major carotenoid in camu-camu fruits from both regions, ranging from 45% to 55% of the total carotenoid content (160.5 +/- 93.1 mu g/100 g for Iguape and 601.9 +/- 75.6 mu g/100 g for Mirandopolis fruits), followed by beta-carotene, violaxanthin and luteoxanthin. The levels of lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, luteoxanthin and other minor carotenoids were significantly higher in the camu-camu produced in Mirandopolis region, most probably due to the higher temperature and light exposure found in this region, in comparison to those from Iguape. Maturation was also an important feature affecting batches from the same region. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.