Recent developments in the carotenoid and carotenoid derivatives chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis in food matrices

Carotenoids are the most abundant pigment produced by nature. Their important role as food colorants and as food bioactive constituents has been widely reported in the scientific literature. Different liquid chromatographic approaches combined with the use of various detector types have mainly been used for carotenoids separations although, recently, also applications based on supercritical fluids have been increasing. This review will critically overview the most recent applications of both liquid and super- critical fluid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection to the carotenoids and carotenoid de- rivatives analyses in food matrices.