Identification and quantification of the native carotenoid composition in fruits from the brazilian amazon by HPLC-DAD-APCI/MS

In this study the native carotenoid composition of previously uninvestigated fruits from the Brazilian Amazon was determined; marirana (Couepia subcordnrn Benth.), inaja (Maximiliana maripa) and canna (Mauritiella armeta) were analyzed by an HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology. Three carotenoids were identified in marirana pulp, all-trans-alpha-carotene (6407 +/- 380 mu g 100 g(-1), fresh weight) and all -trans-beta-carotene (6331 +/- 410 mu g 100 g(-1), fresh weight) being the two major carotenoids, followed by zeaxanthin dilaurate (1061 +/- 80 mu g 100 g(-1), fresh weight). Only beta-carotene was found in inaja pulp (1371 +/- 370 mu g 100 g(-1), fresh weight). In man& pulp, four carotenoids were identified, all-trans-beta-carotene being the most predominant (373 +/- 80 pg 100 g(-1), fresh matter), followed by all-trans-alpha-carotene (230 +/- 60 pg 100 g(-1), fresh weight), lutein (198 +/- 40 mu g 100 g(-1), fresh weight) and 9-cis-beta-carotene (111 +/- 30 mu g 100 g(-1), fresh weight). The cultivation and consumption of these fruits should be encouraged, since they could contribute to the intake of important carotenoids that could have beneficial effects on human health.