Plant Foods for Human Nutrition

, Volume 63, Issue 4, pp 170–175 | Cite as

Carotenoid Content of Underutilized Tropical Fruits

  • Hock Eng Khoo
  • Amin Ismail
  • Norhaizan Mohd-Esa
  • Salma Idris
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the total carotene content (TCC) and beta carotene (BC) in the selected underutilized tropical fruits. TCC of underutilized fruits estimated by spectrophotometric method was in the range of 1.4–19.8 mg/100 g edible portion. The TCC of these fruits decreased in the order: Jentik-jentik > Durian Nyekak 2 > Durian Nyekak 1 > Cerapu 2 > Cerapu 1 > Tampoi Kuning > Bacang 1 > Kuini > Jambu Mawar > Bacang 2 > Durian Daun > Bacang 3 > Tampoi Putih > Jambu Susu. BC contents estimated by HPLC method were highest in Jentik-jentik, followed by Cerapu 2, Durian Nyekak 2, Tampoi Kuning, Durian Nyekak 1, and Cerapu 1, which had a range of 68–92% of BC in TCC. These underutilized fruits have an acceptable amount of carotenoids that are potential antioxidant fruits.

Keywords

Beta carotene HPLC Total carotene Underutilized fruit 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  • Hock Eng Khoo
    • 1
  • Amin Ismail
    • 1
  • Norhaizan Mohd-Esa
    • 1
  • Salma Idris
    • 2
  1. 1.Universiti Putra MalaysiaSerdangMalaysia
  2. 2.Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development InstituteSerdangMalaysia

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