HYDROLYSIS STUDY OF CAROTENOID-PIGMENTS OF PAPRIKA (CAPSICUM-ANNUUM-LVARIETY LEHAVA) BY HPLC PHOTODIODE-ARRAY DETECTION

A method of separating and identifying unsaponified pigments extracted from paprika (Capsicum annuum L. var. Lehava) is described. It is bas ed on high-pressure liquid chromatography (two serially connected C18 columns with an empirical gradient) coupled with a photodiode array de tection method. Well-separated groups of peaks, corresponding to free and mono- and diesterified carotenoids and beta-carotene was observed. The relative changes of these various groups during saponification we re monitorable owing to slow transesterification by sodium methoxide a t room temperature. Unlike potassium hydroxide hydrolysis, this proced ure is very convenient and nondestructive to labile carotenoids, e.g., beta-carotene.