Thin-layer chromatographic determination of beta-carotene, cantaxanthin, lutein, violaxanthin and neoxanthin on Chromarods.

The separation and the simultaneous determination of beta-carotene, cantaxanthin, lutein, violaxanthin and neoxanthin was accomplished using thin-layer chromatography on Chromarods, flame ionization detection and a two-stage development technique. Data were transformed through an unweighted straight-line regression of the logarithm of peak area ratios on the logarithm of the mass ratios. The determinations are highly reproducible and all statistical estimates are highly significant. The linear concentration range for each compounds is reported. No evidence of degradation of the carotenoids during the analyses was found. Up to ten samples can be analysed simultaneously in less than 2 h.