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

Abstract

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.

Carotenoides

“…En los animales, los carotenoides provitamina A juegan un papel esencial en la síntesis de retinol (vitamina A), mientras que las xantofilas luteína y zeaxantina se han asociado en humanos con la prevención de degeneraciones oculares relacionadas con la edad (Pinheiro et al, 2019). La evidencia experimental revela que los carotenoides tienen propiedades de extinción de radicales y actividades de provitamina A, en las que los ácidos retinoicos (derivados de α-y βcarotenos y β-criptoxantina) se unen a sus receptores nucleares para modular más de 500 elementos de respuesta de ADN e iniciar la transcripción regulación de los genes implicados en el metabolismo de los lípidos, sensibilidad a la insulina, equilibrio energético y ajuste epigenético .…”

Development of Food Chemistry, Natural Products, and Nutrition Research: Targeting New Frontiers

“…The study of the native carotenoid composition in kumquat (Fortunella margarita) from Brazil determined for the first time by a HPLC-DAD-APCI/MS (High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector-Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization/Mass Spectrometry) allowed identifying and quantifying eleven carotenoids, some present in the free form and some in their esterified form [30].…”