A MODIFIED METHOD TO MINIMIZE LOSSES OF CAROTENOIDS AND TOCOPHEROLS DURING HPLC ANALYSIS OF RED PALM OIL

A well-established saponification method for red palm oil was compared with a newly developed enzymatic hydrolysis method followed by analys is using highperformance liquid chromatography. Applying the saponific ation method to extract carotenoids from red palm oil resulted in soap precipitation and significant losses of alpha- and beta-carotene (P<0 .01) and alpha-tocopherol (P<0.05). The process also facilitated the i somerisation of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene (P<0.05). Using the n on-specific Candida cylindracea lipase, complete hydrolysis of red pal m oil was achieved after 4 h and no significant loss of carotenoids an d tocopherols occurred during the extraction procedure. Mild hydrolysi s with the use of Candida cylindracea lipase enables quantitative anal ysis of carotenoids and tocopherols in red palm oil without isomerisat ion or destruction of either carotenoids or tocopherols. The present m ethod is comparable or shorter in time than the conventional saponific ation method. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.