Carotenoid composition of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) fruits.

The carotenoid composition of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) fruits has been characterised in detail and quantified for the first time. According to the total carotenoid content (over 340 µg/g dw), mature strawberry tree berries can be classified as fruits with very high carotenoid content (>20 µg/g dw). (all-E)-Violaxanthin and 9Z-violaxanthin were found to be the major carotenoid pigments, accounting for more than 60%, responsible for the bright colour of the flesh of ripe fruits. In addition other 5,6-epoxide carotenoids, such as (all-E)-neoxanthin, (9'Z)-neoxanthin (all-E)-antheraxanthin and lutein 5,6-epoxide, together with (all-E)-lutein, (all-E)-zeaxanthin and (all-E)-ß-carotene were found at high levels (>5-20 µg/g dw). The LC-MS (APCI+) analysis of the xanthophyll fraction in their native state (direct extract) revealed that most of them (>90%) were totally esterified with saturated fatty acids (capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic and stearic). Monoesters, homodiesters and heterodiesters of (all-E)-violaxanthin and 9Z-violaxanthin were the major pigments.

Identification and quantitative analysis of carotenoids and their esters from sarsaparilla (Smilax aspera L.) berries.

The carotenoid composition of sarsaparilla ( Smilax aspera L.) berries has been analyzed for the first time. Lycopene was found to be the main carotenoid (242.44 µg/g fresh wt) in the pulp, followed by ß-carotene (65.76 µg/g fresh wt) and ß-cryptoxanthin (42.14 µg/g fresh wt; including the free and esterified forms). Other minor carotenoids were lycophyll (13.70 µg/g fresh wt), zeaxanthin (8.56 µg/g fresh wt; including the free and esterified forms), lutein (0.94 µg/g fresh wt), and antheraxanthin (0.58 µg/g fresh wt). ß-Cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin were present in free and esterified forms. ß-Cryptoxanthin was mainly esterified with saturated fatty acids (capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, and stearic), although a low amount of ß-cryptoxanthin oleate was also detected. In the case of zeaxanthin, only a monoester with myristic acid (zeaxanthin monomyristate) was identified. The diverse carotenoid profile, some with provitamin A activity, together with the relatively high content, up to 375 µg/g fresh wt, makes sarsaparilla berries a potential source of carotenoids for the food, animal feed, and pharmaceutical industries.