Carotenoid profiles of red- and yellow-colored arils of cultivars of Taxus baccata L. and Taxus × media Rehder.

The botanical delimitation of Taxus species and cultivars may be facilitated by characterizing the pigment profiles of their red- and yellow-fleshed arils. Therefore, we determined genuine carotenoid profiles of differently colored arils of seven defined cultivars of Taxus baccata L. and Taxus × media Rehder. In-depth HPLC-DAD-ESI/APCI-MSn analyses revealed the presence of 43 carotenoids. Exceptional retro-carotenoids dominated the profiles of all samples assessed. Rhodoxanthin (E/Z)-isomers were predominant in the red-colored arils, resulting in a rather unusual abundance of carotenoid isomers as expressed by ratios of up to 1.3:2.0:0.9 between (all-E)-, (6Z)-, and (6Z,6'Z)-rhodoxanthin, respectively. By contrast, the uncommon yellow arils of Taxus baccata L. 'Lutea' mainly contained eschscholtzxanthin (E/Z)-isomers and esters. Total carotenoid concentrations ranged from 17.00 to 58.78 µg/g fresh weight across all samples assessed. Highest total rhodoxanthin concentrations of 51.33 ± 0.46 µg/g fresh weight were obtained from the red arils of Taxus × media Rehder 'Hicksii'. Overall, Taxus arils represent a promising source of carotenoids and, in particular, of retro-carotenoids with exceptional molecular structures and extraordinary absorption properties.

Fatty acids, triacylglycerols, and thermal behaviour of various mango (Mangifera indica L.) kernel fats.

Mango processing generates high amounts of unexploited kernels. Lipid profiles and thermal behaviour of kernel fats from seven Mangifera indica L. cultivars originating from Latin America and Thailand were characterised. Total lipid contents ranged between 5.4 and 11.9%. Detailed GC-FID, GC-MS, and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn analyses revealed two fatty acids and five triacylglycerols as novel mango kernel constituents. Owing to the prevailing saturated fatty acids and triacylglycerols, 'Maha Chanook' fat had a significantly higher melting point, the highest solid fat indices at all temperatures, and densely packed crystals as shown by DSC and light microscopy, respectively. In contrast, 'Falan' exhibited high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids and triacylglycerols with low equivalent carbon numbers (40-46), resulting in lower melting and crystallisation temperatures and a loosened crystal network. 'Keitt' and 'Palmer' fats showed high proportions of triacylglycerols with medium equivalent carbon numbers (44-52). Mango kernels represent a sustainable source for liquid to semi-solid edible fats suitable for numerous potential applications, e.g., in food and cosmetics.

HPLC-DAD-APCI/ESI-MSn analysis of carotenoids and α-tocopherol in Costa Rican Acrocomia aculeata fruits of varying maturity stages.

Carotenoids and tocopherols were characterised in the meso- and exocarp of wild-growing Costa Rican Acrocomia aculeata fruits. Comprehensive profiling of these lipophilic micronutrients in fruits of three varying maturity stages was conducted for the first time. A method for the simultaneous extraction and quantitation of carotenoids and α-tocopherol was developed and validated. Detailed HPLC-DAD-APCI/ESI-MSn analyses enabled the identification of α-tocopherol and 25 carotenoids. The latter comprised antheraxanthin, ß-carotene, lutein, luteoxanthin, neoxanthin, phytoene, phytofluene, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and several (Z)-isomers of the aforementioned compounds. Quantitation by HPLC-DAD/FLD revealed total carotenoid concentrations of 872±178 and 3075±407µg/100g fresh weight in the meso- and exocarp of fully ripe fruits, respectively. In both fruit fractions, progressing maturation resulted in the accumulation of phytoene, phytofluene, (all-E)-zeaxanthin, (all-E)-antheraxanthin, and (all-E)-violaxanthin. Carotenoid profiling was supported by multivariate data analysis. Carotenoid precursors and xanthophyll cycle pigments characterised Macauba fruits of full maturity.

GC-MS profiling, descriptive sensory analysis, and consumer acceptance of Costa Rican papaya (Carica papaya L.) fruit purees.

Volatiles of papaya purees from four Costa Rican cultivars were analysed by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 83 volatiles was assigned in the purees, of which 19 were detected for the first time as papaya constituents. As revealed by multivariate statistics, i.e., principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the purees may be allocated to terpene- and lactone-rich ('SH-5'), ester-containing ('Criolla'), and intermediate chemotypes ('Pococí' and 'Silvestre'). Descriptive sensory analysis and a consumer acceptance test were additionally performed. Floral, fruity, and honey-like notes were perceived at significantly higher intensities in 'SH-5' puree. The latter descriptors strongly correlated with volatiles discriminating 'SH-5' in the PCA and PLS-DA, respectively. Consumer acceptance of the papaya purees differed significantly. 'Pococí' and 'SH-5' purees appear to be suitable for improving the nutritional value of blended fruit juices without impairing their sensory quality.

Characterization of Mesocarp and Kernel Lipids from Elaeis guineensis Jacq., Elaeis oleifera [Kunth] Cortés, and Their Interspecific Hybrids.

Morphological traits, total lipid contents, and fatty acid profiles were assessed in fruits of several accessions of Elaeis oleifera [Kunth] Cortés, Elaeis guineensis Jacq., and their interspecific hybrids. The latter featured the highest mesocarp-to-fruit ratios (77.9-78.2%). The total lipid contents of both E. guineensis mesocarp and kernel were significantly higher than for E. oleifera accessions. Main fatty acids comprised C16:0, C18:1n9, and C18:2n6 in mesocarp and C12:0, C14:0, and C18:1n9 in kernels. E. oleifera samples were characterized by higher proportions of unsaturated long-chain fatty acids. Saturated medium-chain fatty acids supported the clustering of E. guineensis kernels in multivariate statistics. Hybrid mesocarp lipids had an intermediate fatty acid composition, whereas their kernel lipids resembled those of E. oleifera genotypes. Principal component analysis based on lipid contents and proportions of individual fatty acids permitted clear-cut distinction of E. oleifera, E. guineensis, and their hybrids.