Quantitative Analysis of Lutein Esters in Marigold Flowers (Tagetes erecta) by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

ABSTRACT A novel quantitative procedure for the analysis of lutein esters in Marigold flowers (Tageres erecta) using high performance liquid chromatography is described. A new solvent system consisting of methanol and ethyl acetate suitable for the separation of carotenoid hydrocarbons and esters on reversed phase adsorbent was developed for the analysis. Lutein ester concentrations in fresh Marigold flowers varied from 4 pg/g in greenish yellow flowers to 800 pg/g in orange brown flowers. The method is suitable as a general procedure for carotenoid analysis in fruits and flowers where the hydroxylated carotenoids are acylated.