Identification and quantification of carotenoids in pumpkin cultivars (<em>Cucurbita maxima</em> L.) and their juices by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-diode array detection

Abstract

The carotenoid pigments of different cultivars of Cucurbita maxima L. (pumpkin) were investigated in pulp, peel and genuine juice by means of HPLC. In dependence of the variety different concentrations and distributions of α-carotene, β-carotene, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, all-trans-lutein, zeaxanthin, lutheoxanthin and the isomers 9-cis-β-carotene and 13-cis-β-carotene were obtained. The total carotenoid content (expressed as dry weight) of the pumpkin peel depends on the variety with 12 mg/kg for „Butternut“ up to 1751 mg/kg for „Rouge“, whereas total carotenoid contents in the pulp differed from 17 mg/kg for „Baby Bear“ to 683 mg/kg for „Rouge“. The variety „Hokkaido“ showed high total carotenoid contents in pulp (218 mg/kg) and peel (1048 mg/kg), whereas for „Butternut“ minor concentrations in pulp (44 mg/kg) and peel (12 mg/kg) were detected. The red and orange coloured Cucurbita maxima L. varieties are valuable sources of carotenoids among vegetables or vegetable juices.