Carotenoid pigments in Rosa mosqueta hips, an alternative carotenoid source for foods

Abstract

4 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables.-- PMID: 10725157 [PubMed].-- Printed version published Mar 20, 2000.Carotenoid composition has been investigated in Rosa mosqueta hips (Rosa rubiginosa, Rosa eglanteria). Six major carotenoids were identified (β-carotene, lycopene, rubixanthin, gazaniaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin) together with other minor carotenoids (violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and γ-carotene). An average composition has been estimated as follows: β-carotene (497.6 mg/kg of dry wt), lycopene (391.9 mg/kg of dry wt), rubixanthin (703.7 mg/kg of dry wt), gazaniaxanthin (289.2 mg/kg of dry wt), β-cryptoxanthin (183.5 mg/kg of dry wt), zeaxanthin (266.6 mg/kg of dry wt), and minor carotenoids (67.1 mg/kg of dry wt). Possible uses in food technology are outlined and discussed including the preparation of highly colored oleoresins as natural colorants of food and beverages and as provitamin A sources.We express our sincere gratitude to CICYT (Spanish Government) for supporting this research project, ALI97-0352.Peer reviewe