Carotenoids of Eriobotrya japonica

The carotenoids of the loquat fruit Eriobotrya japonica Golden Nugget variety, were investigated. They were identified according to their chromatographic, spectrophotometric and chemical properties and compared with standard pigments. For some of the carotenoids, MS were determined. Pulp and peels were investigated separately. The main pattern of the pulp carotenoids was β-carotene (33%), γ-carotene (6%), cryptoxanthin (22%), lutein, violaxanthin and neoxanthin, each about 3–4%. The peel, with a carotenoid content 5 times as high, had a similar pattern, but the ratio between the main pigments differed: β-carotene (50%); γ-carotene (5%); cryptoxanthin (5%); lutein (13%); violaxanthin, neoxanthin, 3–4%. The carotenoids of the loquat (subfamily Maloideae) were very similar to those of the apricot (Prunus armeniaca-subfamily Prunoideae) both of the family of Rosaceae. The intergeneric differences are more pronounced, which is of possible taxonomic significance. The lower concentration of cryptoxanthin and the high concentration of lutein in the peels is noteworthy and of biosynthetic interest.