To develop a simple pretreatment and reversed-phase chromatography method for β-carotene in edible seaweeds, optimum HPLC column and high efficient extraction method were selected. Beta-carotene measurement was performed at 450 nm. A TSKgel ODS-80TS column seems to be a suitable column for β-carotene analysis among three columns tested. Suitable extraction solvent for high efficiency extraction was ethanol containing 10% pyrogallol among extraction solvents tested. The present method was successfully applied to β-carotene analysis and should prove useful for β-carotene analysis in edible seaweeds.

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The fucoidan and alginic acid content from Tinocladia crassa which is cultivated at Fukuoka Prefecture to confirm the proper period of its harvest was estimated quantitatively. And the chemical composition of the fucoidan was characterized. Since the fucoidan and alginic acid content was substantially constant, the period of harvest can be judged by the dirt, color, and slime of alga. The cultivated T.crassa contained twice the galactose of fucose. It was suggested the fucoidan was rare type which was different from the typical ones.

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