Analysis for Carotenes and Xanthophylls in Dried Plant Materials

Abstract A method is presented for the analysis of carotenes, carotenols, and carotendiols in dried plant materials. The extraction procedure is applicable to both alfalfa meals and corn products. Column chromatography on silica gel G permits separation of carotenes from xanthophylls and subsequent fractionation of xanthophylls into mono hydroxy (MHP) and dihydroxy pigments (DHP) which are free from polyoxy pigments. A procedure is proposed for calculation of a “DHP-equivalent” as a measure of pigmenting effectiveness for avian skin and yolks. The method appears to be applicable to mixed feeds.