Analysis of Anabaena vaginicola and Nostoc calcicola from Northern Iran, as rich sources of major carotenoids

Four major carotenoids of high nutritional significance, including β-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin were determined in three isolates of heterocystous cyanobacteria, belonging to the genera Anabaena and Nostoc, isolated from Iranian terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, for the first time. The ultrasonically extracted carotenoids were identified and quantified by a rapid and sensitive isocratic HPLC method and identification was further confirmed by spiking authentic standards and the pattern of the UV–Vis spectra obtained from photo-diode array detector. The results showed that these isolates contain large amounts of four major carotenoids, especially lycopene (up to 24570 μg/g dry weight, DW) which appears to be the highest reported amount until present; and β-carotene (up to 8133 μg/g DW) which is comparable with the best natural sources of β-carotene. Meanwhile, they are rich in the cis-isomers of lycopene and β-carotene which is important in their bioavailability and health benefits.