Determination of minor carbohydrates in carrot (Daucus carota L.) by GC–MS

Minor carbohydrates present in carrot (Daucus carota L.) have been studied by GC–MS analysis of their trimethylsilyl derivatives because of their remarkable role in a variety of biological functions. Scyllo-inositol and sedoheptulose (d-altro-2-heptulose), identified for the first time in this paper were present in all the carrots analysed in concentrations ranging 1.5–5.8 and 1.4–24.6 mg g−1 dried weight, respectively. Other minor carbohydrates detected in carrot were myo- inositol (2.2–9.8 mg g−1) and mannitol (traces-1.3 mg g−1). Whereas small amounts (close to 2 mg g−1) of scyllo-inositol were experimentally determined in other vegetables from the Apiaceae family (parsley, coriander and fennel), sedoheptulose was only detected at trace levels.