Identification and quantification of carotenoid in commonly consumed agricultural crops in Korea

Phytochemicals are micronutrients known for promoting human health. Among them, carotenoids are natural pigments and crucial bioactive compounds due to their outstanding antioxidant properties. In this study, carotenoids from agricultural crops commonly consumed in Korea were analyzed. Carotenoids were extracted from 61 samples, considering factors such as crop type, color, part, and processing method. Identification and quantification of extracted carotenoids were then performed using HPLC-PDA. The results showed that most green and red leafy vegetables were good sources (> 900 μg/100 g DW) of carotenoids. The carotenoid contents were found to vary depending on the crop part. Colored cereals and their processed products exhibited low carotenoid contents (< 10 μg/100 g DW), while white rice, certain wheat products, adlay, and mushrooms contained no detectable carotenoids. Losses of carotenoids were observed in certain crops during cooking and processing. This study provides valuable insights into the carotenoid content of commonly consumed agricultural crops.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-024-01788-6.