Carotenoids determination of carrot cultivars

Abstract

: Carotenoids play an essential role in human health and they affect the perception of taste and flavour which influence consumer preference. Carrot is one of the most important and consumed vegetables in the world, and a critical source of α- and β-carotene. Commonly grown carrot cultivars (Maestro, Bolero, Natuna and Naval) were obtained from Begeč location in Serbia. Raman spectroscopy was applied as a fast chemical evaluation tool which provided information about the carrot cultivars differences. Raman spectra of the root of four carrot cultivars exhibited three dominant carotenoid signals, mainly related to α- and β-carotene, in the three distinct regions: from 1510-1515 cm-1 , 1149-1154 cm-1 and 1001-1007 cm-1 . According to the PCA of the Raman spectra it is indicated that the PC1 and PC2 are responsible for 94.06% of data variance and it suggested the existence of two groups along PC1 axis. Variables with the positive and negative contribution along PC1 indicate the differences between Maestro and Bolero from Natuna and Naval, which are mainly based on carotenoids, phenolic compounds and in the lower extend in carbohydrates.