Fatty acid composition of carotenoid esters in soybean and rapeseed oils

Abstract

Abstract The amounts of the different carotenoids (lutein, lutein monoesters and diesters) in soybean and rapeseed oil were determined through a combination of column chromatography and UV spectrometry. The lutein diesters in the oils have been isolated by a combination of column and thin layer chromatography. Identification and determination of the amount of the various fatty acids of the lutein diesters have been carried out by means of gas chromatography after transesterification of the fatty acids to their methyl esters. Comparison of the fatty acids of the lutein diesters with those of the triglycerides of the oils revealed a striking difference. First, the fatty acids of the lutein diesters have shorter chains than the triglycerides acids. Secondly, the lutein fatty acids are more saturated than the fatty acids of the triglycerides of the corresponding oils. However the amount of linoleic acid in the case of the fatty acids of the lutein diesters in rapeseed oil is greater than that in the fatty acids of the triglycerides in rapeseed oil.