Autoria: CARVALHO, L. M. J. de; GOMES, P. B.; GODOY, R. L. de O.; PACHECO, S.; MONTE, P. H. F. do; CARVALHO, J. L. V. de; NUTTI, M. R.; NEVES, A. C. L.; VIEIRA, A. C. R. A.; RAMOS, S. R. R.

Resumo: Landrace pumpkins occur in nature and their potential as source of pro-vitamin A may be investigated in order to be used in conventional plant breeding or biofortification programs, aiming to increase the total carotenoids and b-carotene contents. The objective of the study was to determine the total carotenoid, a-carotene, b-carotene and its isomers and contents in two landrace samples (A and B) of raw pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata) to verify its seed production potential.High Performance Liquid Chromatography andUV/Visible spectrophotometrywere used to determine a-carotene, b-carotene and its isomers, and total carotenoid contents, respectively. All analyses were carried out in triplicate. The results showedmean total carotenoid contents of 404.98 in sample A, and 234.21 ug/g in sample B. The a-carotene contents varied from 67.06 to 72.99 ug/g in samples A and B, respectively. All E-b-carotene was the most abundant isomer found varying from 244.22 to 141.95 ug/g in samples A and B, respectively. The 9 and 13-Z-b-carotene isomers were still found in lowconcentrations in both analyzed landrace samples. The content of b-carotene inrawsampleAshowed to be promising for the production of seeds for cultivation and consumption.

Ano de publicação: 2012

Tipo de publicação: Artigo de periódico

Unidade: Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos

Palavras-chave: Abóbora cheirosa, Carotenóide, Cucúrbita Moschata