Separation of Carotene Stereoisomers in Vegetables

Abstract

Abstract A high pressure liquid chromatographic method has been developed for separation of provitamin A carotene stereoisomers in vegetables. A column designed to withstand high pressures is packed tightly with a mixture of calcium and magnesium hydroxides. An elution mixture of 1.5%p-methylanisole in petroleum ether is forced through by nitrogen pressure. Resolution of as many as 7 isomers is obtained in less than 1 hr. The principal stereoisomer of all-trans-β-carotene in green vegetables was found to be neo-β-carotene U. In red and yellow vegetables, it was neo-β- carotene B.