Photosynthetica 2004, 42(2):295-297 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000040603.14529.28

Total Carotenoid Amount in Crude Twig Extracts May Be Overestimated Due to Interference by High Contents of Co-Extracted Phenolics

E. Levizou1, Y. Petropoulou1, Y. Manetas1
1 Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras GR-265 00, Greece

Total carotenoids assessed spectrophotometrically in crude extracts may be considerably overestimated when high contents of phenolic compounds are co-extracted. In this case, the absorbance tails of phenolics extend well into the blue part of the spectrum, interfering with carotenoid estimation. Extracts of phenolic-rich organs, with a low ratio of photosynthetic to heterotrophic and/or supportive cells (for example, stems or twigs) are vulnerable to such pitfalls and may need chromatographic separation of carotenoids.

Additional key words: Arbutus; HPLC; Pistacia; Populus; Prunus; Quercus

Published: June 1, 2004  Show citation

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Levizou, E., Petropoulou, Y., & Manetas, Y. (2004). Total Carotenoid Amount in Crude Twig Extracts May Be Overestimated Due to Interference by High Contents of Co-Extracted Phenolics. Photosynthetica, 42(2), 295-297. doi: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000040603.14529.28
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