Simple and Rapid Extraction Method for Determination of Carotenoids in the Edible Parts of Vitis vinifera, Vaccinum sect. cyanococcus, Ipomoea batatas and Capsicum annum

Fruits and vegetables are rich source of carotenoids. The aim of this study was to find out the rapid and simple extraction method for carotenoids in grapes, blueberries, sweet potato and green chilli using HPLC analysis. Four different extraction methods; MeOH:DCM simple [methanol: dichloromethane], MeOH:DCM exhausted, MeOH simple and hexane exhausted were evaluated for the determination of carotenoids. Among them, MeOH: DCM simple has yielded higher in all carotenoids concentrations than the other three methods. Using the MeOH: DCM simple method, lutein was found predominantly in green chilli (12.8 µg g-1) followed by blueberries, sweet potato and grapes. Consequently, β-carotene was rich in sweet potato (69.2 µg g-1). Intake of 100 g sweet potato can provide 96.1% RDA of vitamin A for 9-13 year males and females and 75% RDA for pregnant women. The result of this study could be useful in future pharmacological and nutraceutical research.