DETECTION OF BIXIN, LYCOPENE, CANTHAXANTHIN, AND BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL IN PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM RED-PEPPER

An analytical method using either thin layer or liquid chromatography is proposed for the detection of 4 pigments (bixin, lycopene, canthaxa nthin and beta-apo-8'-carotenal) that can be used fraudulently to inte nsify the natural color of products derived from red pepper (oleoresin s, paprika, paprika paste, etc.). Similarly, the addition of other col orant natural products containing some of these pigments as major pigm ents (such as tomato for lycopene and Bixa orellana seeds for bixin) c an be detected, The method proposed can also be used to control the af orementioned pigments in their natural sources as well as in food prod ucts.