New natural carotenoid sources. V. Chlorophyll and carotenoid content of Beta vulgaris

Abstract

Chlorophylls and carotenoid pigments were investigated in leaves of beet (Beta vulgaris L.) obtained from SDE Cluj-Napoca, harvested in September 1987. Leaves had a higher content both in chlorophylls and carotenoids than petioles. The high content in chlorophyll b and B-carotene is of great importance. The chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b ratio was of 1,8 in leaves and 1,36 in petioles respectively. The main carotenoids in leaves are lutheine and B-carotene, followed by violaxanthine, criptixanthins, zeaxanthine and neoxanthine in decreasing order of their content. Carotenoids with provitaminic structure represent 41,4% of the total carotenoid content in leaves and 38% in petioles. As characteristic aspects can be mentioned the proximate content of lutheine and B-carotine (2:1); the prevailence of carotenoids with B-iononic structure, and the high content of oxygenate carotenoids. Due to the high content of chlorophylls and carotenoids, the high biomass yield, Beta vulgaris L. seems suitable for industrial production of chlorophylls and carotenoids which possess a large scale of utilization.