Analysis of a complex mixture of carotenes from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) fruit extract

A carotene extract from the fruits of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) was analysed by HPLC employing a C30 column for better separation efficiency. A multitude of cis-isomers of α-, β- and γ-carotene were separated. Detailed assignment was possible by subjecting pure standards of α-, β- and γ-carotene to isomerisation and comparing spectral data and order of elution to literature data. α- and β-carotene were found to be the most abundant carotenoids comprising 12.3% and 17.9%, respectively, of a (roughly) 30% oil suspension of oil palm carotenes in vegetable oil. A large proportion (about 40%) of α- and β-carotene was in the form of cis-isomers. The γ-carotene content was found to be 0.38% and other carotenes like phytoene, phytofluene, ζ-carotene, lycopene and possibly β-zeacarotene were found as well but were not quantified.