Abstract
Carotenoid pigments in fruit flesh of ripe tomatoes of the typical strains (Red, Yellow, Tangerine, Apricot, Beta orange and Delta strain) were studied by means of column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. The spectral absorption curve of each carotenoid was measured by a spectrophotometer. Further, the carotenoid content was calculated by using the absorption coefficient of each carotenoid. The results obtained were as follows (unit: μg/g): 1) The Red strain contained lycopene (53.9-66.5), β-carotene (4.5-4.9), and γ-carotene (0.5-0.9). 2) The Yellow strain contained β-carotene (1.1-1.7) and almost no lycopene. 3) The Tangerine strain contained δ-carotene (29.8-36.0), prolycopene (27.5-36.1), proneurosporene (6.6-10.6), β-carotene (2.0-5.0), lycopene (1.6-3.2), neurosporene (1.1-2.9) and γ-carotene (trace). 4) Apricot strain contained β-carotene (3.1-6.5), γ-carotene (trace) and almost no lycopene. 5) The Beta orange strain contained β-carotene (54.5-69.3), lycopene (2.4-4.4) and γ-carotene (1.8-3.6). 6) The Delta strain contained δ-carotene (21.1-31.1), lycopene (19.4-27.6), β-carotene (2.8-6.0), α-carotene (0.8-1.4) and γ-carotene (0.7-0.9). The Red, Tangerine, Beta orange and Delta strains contained phytoene (3.0-6.5) and phytofluene (14.3-25.4), while all strains contained a small quantity of xanthophylls (2.7-6.0).
