The Carotenoids of Various Berries
Abstract
Eleven different berries from six families were investigated for their carotenoid composition. Phytofluene and β-carotene were the only two polyenes identified in all of them, lutein (universally present in photo-synthetic tissue) was found in small quantities in only six species, while lycopene (a characteristic fruit pigment) was not always present. (1) The results emphasize the view that the distribution of carotenoids in berries appears to have no taxonomic significance, although rubixanthin was only obtained from rose hips. (2) There was no correlation between total carotenoids and colour of berries. The colour depends on which major carotenoids are present and also on the presence of other non-carotenoid pigments, e.g. flavonoids and chlorophyll. (3) Three berries (holly, cuckoo pint and black bryony) studied at various stages of maturation showed that as they aged, the control of carotenoid synthesis was removed. Oxidative processes took place with the result that very few of the a-carotene series were found and there was an increase in total carotenoids, mostly due to epoxy-carotenoids and to their derivatives. (4) β-Carotene was probably the precursor of cryptoxanthin in the cuckoo pint, while it was that of the 5,6 mono- and 5,6:5', 6'-diepoxy-β-carotenes and of their derivatives in the holly.