Mixed carotenoids

Prepared at the 49th JECFA (1997)
superseding specifications prepared at the 37th JECFA (1990),
published in FNP 52 (1992)

DEFINITION

Mixed carotenoids are obtained by solvent extraction of alfalfa, removal of chlorophylls through saponification and subsequent purification of the carotenoids by solvent extraction. The main colouring principle consists of carotenoids of which lutein accounts for the major part. Variable amounts of neoxanthin, violaxanthin and b -carotene are present.
Mixed carotenoids may contain fats, oils and waxes naturally occurring in the plant material. Vegetable oils may be added for standardizing purposes. Only the following solvents may be used for the extraction: methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol, hexane, acetone, dichloromethane and methyl ethyl ketone. (Note: Articles of commerce may contain approved food additives in order to formulate water soluble products.)

Class

Carotenoid

C.A.S. number

Lutein: 127-40-2

Chemical name

Lutein: 3,3'-dihydroxy-d-carotene; b, e -carotene-3,3'-diol

Chemical formula

Lutein: C₄₀H₅₆O₂

Structural formula:

Formula weight

Lutein: 568.88

Assay

Content of total colouring matter (calculated as lutein) not less than declared

DESCRIPTION

Dark, yellowish brown liquids with a weak hay-like odour

FUNCTIONAL USES

Colour

CHARACTERISTICS

IDENTIFICATION

Solubility

Insoluble in water; soluble in hexane.

Spectrophotometry

A chloroform solution of the sample shows maximum absorption at about 445 nm

Carr-Price test

A solution of the sample in chloroform turns blue on addition of an excess of Carr-Price TS.

PURITY

Lead

Not more than 5 mg/kg
Prepare a sample solution as directed for organic compounds in the Limit Test, using 5 m g of lead ion (Pb) in the control

Synthetic colours

See description under TESTS

Residual solvent

Acetone, methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol, and hexane, not more than 50 mg/kg, singly or in combination.
Dichloromethane and methyl ethyl ketone, not more than 10 mg/kg, individually.

TESTS

PURITY TESTS

Synthetic colours

A. Principle
Unknown samples are compared to authentic alfalfa carotenoids. Ground dried alfalfa is extracted with dichloromethane. The extract is saponified and the carotenoids separated by reverse phase liquid chromatography. This test is qualitative and is intended to differentiate alfalfa mixed carotenoids from artificial colours.
B. Apparatus
High pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC) equipped with a variable wavelength detector, a Zorbax ODS 150 mm x 4.6 mm id reverse phase column or equivalent, and a suitable 10-m l injection value.
C. Reagents
Acetonitrite, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone (all HPLC grade), n-decanol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), potassium hydroxide, methanol, sodium sulfate (all analytical reagent or better grade). Add 1 g/l of BHT to all solvents. Add 0.1% (v/v) n-decanol to all mobile phases.
D. Chromatography and detection
Mobile phase: ethyl acetate: acetonitrile (12:88) 1.6 ml/min; injection volume 10 m l; detector wavelength 450 nm, full scale range 0.16 AUFS.
E. Procedure
Grind dried alfalfa to pass 1-mm mesh screen and thoroughly mix. Accurately weigh 1-2 g sample in a glass stoppered boiling tube. Add 30 ml dichlormethane: acetone (2:1) and shake. Let stand overnight. Add 20 ml dichloromethane, 2 ml 40% (w/v) methanolic potassium hydroxide, shake, and let stand 60 min. Add 30 ml of 10% (w/v) aqueous sodium sulfate, shake, and let stand 60 min. Remove an aliquot of the lower layer and centrifuge 10 min at 2000 rpm. Remove a 3-ml aliquot of the lower yellow layer, mix with 3 ml acetonitrile, and use this solution for analysis. Unknown mixed caroteniod samples are prepared by dissolving a 0.1-0.2 g sample in 50 ml of dichloromethane: acetonitrile (1:1). Inject 10 m l of alfalfa mixed carotenoid standard followed by 10 m l of unknown mixed carotenoid sample and compare chromatograms.
The approximate retention times for neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, (a -carotene, and b -carotene are 3.5, 3.9, 6.0, 7.0, 18, and 19 min, respectively. Unknown samples should be free of synthetic pigments, canthaxanthin, and apocarotenoic acid ethyl ester, which elute just before lutein.

METHOD OF ASSAY

Proceed as directed in General Methods, Methods for Food Colours, Colouring Matters, Total Content by Spectrophotometry, Procedure 2, using the following conditions:
W = amount (g) to obtain adequate absorbance
V₁ = V₂ = V₃ = 100 ml
v₁ = v₂ = 10 ml
= 2500
lambda_max = app. 445 nm

DEFINITION	Mixed carotenoids are obtained by solvent extraction of alfalfa, removal of chlorophylls through saponification and subsequent purification of the carotenoids by solvent extraction. The main colouring principle consists of carotenoids of which lutein accounts for the major part. Variable amounts of neoxanthin, violaxanthin and b -carotene are present. Mixed carotenoids may contain fats, oils and waxes naturally occurring in the plant material. Vegetable oils may be added for standardizing purposes. Only the following solvents may be used for the extraction: methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol, hexane, acetone, dichloromethane and methyl ethyl ketone. (Note: Articles of commerce may contain approved food additives in order to formulate water soluble products.)
Class	Carotenoid
C.A.S. number	Lutein: 127-40-2
Chemical name	Lutein: 3,3'-dihydroxy-d-carotene; b, e -carotene-3,3'-diol
Chemical formula	Lutein: C₄₀H₅₆O₂
Structural formula:
Formula weight	Lutein: 568.88
Assay	Content of total colouring matter (calculated as lutein) not less than declared
DESCRIPTION	Dark, yellowish brown liquids with a weak hay-like odour
FUNCTIONAL USES	Colour
CHARACTERISTICS
IDENTIFICATION
Solubility	Insoluble in water; soluble in hexane.
Spectrophotometry	A chloroform solution of the sample shows maximum absorption at about 445 nm
Carr-Price test	A solution of the sample in chloroform turns blue on addition of an excess of Carr-Price TS.
PURITY
Lead	Not more than 5 mg/kg Prepare a sample solution as directed for organic compounds in the Limit Test, using 5 m g of lead ion (Pb) in the control
Synthetic colours	See description under TESTS
Residual solvent	Acetone, methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol, and hexane, not more than 50 mg/kg, singly or in combination. Dichloromethane and methyl ethyl ketone, not more than 10 mg/kg, individually.
TESTS
PURITY TESTS
Synthetic colours	A. Principle Unknown samples are compared to authentic alfalfa carotenoids. Ground dried alfalfa is extracted with dichloromethane. The extract is saponified and the carotenoids separated by reverse phase liquid chromatography. This test is qualitative and is intended to differentiate alfalfa mixed carotenoids from artificial colours. B. Apparatus High pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC) equipped with a variable wavelength detector, a Zorbax ODS 150 mm x 4.6 mm id reverse phase column or equivalent, and a suitable 10-m l injection value. C. Reagents Acetonitrite, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone (all HPLC grade), n-decanol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), potassium hydroxide, methanol, sodium sulfate (all analytical reagent or better grade). Add 1 g/l of BHT to all solvents. Add 0.1% (v/v) n-decanol to all mobile phases. D. Chromatography and detection Mobile phase: ethyl acetate: acetonitrile (12:88) 1.6 ml/min; injection volume 10 m l; detector wavelength 450 nm, full scale range 0.16 AUFS. E. Procedure Grind dried alfalfa to pass 1-mm mesh screen and thoroughly mix. Accurately weigh 1-2 g sample in a glass stoppered boiling tube. Add 30 ml dichlormethane: acetone (2:1) and shake. Let stand overnight. Add 20 ml dichloromethane, 2 ml 40% (w/v) methanolic potassium hydroxide, shake, and let stand 60 min. Add 30 ml of 10% (w/v) aqueous sodium sulfate, shake, and let stand 60 min. Remove an aliquot of the lower layer and centrifuge 10 min at 2000 rpm. Remove a 3-ml aliquot of the lower yellow layer, mix with 3 ml acetonitrile, and use this solution for analysis. Unknown mixed caroteniod samples are prepared by dissolving a 0.1-0.2 g sample in 50 ml of dichloromethane: acetonitrile (1:1). Inject 10 m l of alfalfa mixed carotenoid standard followed by 10 m l of unknown mixed carotenoid sample and compare chromatograms. The approximate retention times for neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, (a -carotene, and b -carotene are 3.5, 3.9, 6.0, 7.0, 18, and 19 min, respectively. Unknown samples should be free of synthetic pigments, canthaxanthin, and apocarotenoic acid ethyl ester, which elute just before lutein.
METHOD OF ASSAY	Proceed as directed in General Methods, Methods for Food Colours, Colouring Matters, Total Content by Spectrophotometry, Procedure 2, using the following conditions: W = amount (g) to obtain adequate absorbance V₁ = V₂ = V₃ = 100 ml v₁ = v₂ = 10 ml = 2500 lambda_max = app. 445 nm