Some Considerations in Generating Carotenoid Data for Food Composition Tables

Carotenoid analysis is inherently difficult, principally because of the large number of naturally occurring carotenoids, the qualitative and quantitative compositional variation between foods, and the susceptibility of carotenoids to isomerization and oxidation during analysis. Thus, the reliability of a substantial part of current data on food carotenoids still appears questionable. Analysts should be well informed about the nature and properties of carotenoids, and the problems associated with their identification and quantification. Exchange of information and samples between laboratories is highly commendable. Additionally, several factors naturally affect the composition carotenoid. Thus, proper sampling and sample preparation, which are given little attention in papers on carotenoid, are of paramount importance. Wide natural variability overshadows refinements in analytical methods, thus some delimitation should be made. Samples of different cultivars, samples from regions of different climate, and immature and ripe samples should be analyzed separately and pertinent information must accompany the results in tables. Because of their tropical and sub-tropical climate, developing countries have a wide variety of carotenogenic sources, well beyond those internationally known. However, most of these sources have not been analyzed. Thus, carotenoid analysis in the third world is more urgent and challenging. Examples to illustrate the points raised will be presented. There is world-wide consensus that greater quality data on food carotenoids are urgently needed. For carotenoid analysis, several considerations must be carefully examined to arrive at reliable results.